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10 killed in DI Khan funeral blast
President, PM condemn gruesome act
Forces kill 25 militants in Bajaur Agency
Tariq Saeed
Peshawar—A deadly bomb blast during a funeral procession in Dera
Ismail Khan city Friday morning left upto 10 people dead and serious
injuries to more than two dozen others. The death toll is feared to
mount as the condition of many injured has been described as
precarious.
Reports reaching here said a radio controlled explosive devise was
planted at a road side which went off when the procession of the
victim of Thursday’s target killing was passing through Bannu Adda in
the middle of the city near Kotli Imam at around 11 AM. Sources in
police and district administration confirmed. The explosion is said to
result of the sectarian uprisings which the D I Khan city has been
experiencing for the last many years.
While the security forces and the locals rushed the victims to
District Headquarters Hospital DI Khan, many of them were pronounced
dead while some succumbed to their injuries in the hospital raising
the death toll to 10.
The locals and the police officials say the explosion in the funeral
procession of Shahid Iqbal Hussein shah who was killed on the night
between Thursday and Friday, followed a sporadic incidence of firings
by the infuriated mob. Angry protestors, as the reports say, also
opened fire on police after the blast as the security forces cordoned
off the area.
The security has been put at high alert in the city where the fresh
contingents of the police and security forces have taken positions to
avert further clashes amid high tension gripped the city.
NWFP Information Minister, Iftikhar Hussain confirming the incident
said that the bombing of a funeral procession killed 10 persons, while
25 persons were injured.
He said that the province was infested with terrorism and militancy
and we also held talks for resolving this issue, but ever since we are
coming hard on the terrorists, the situation got deteriorating. He
said that the security has further been beefed up in the province and
adding those responsible for the incident would be brought to books at
earliest and would be awarded exemplary punishment.
On the other hand the security forces continued targeting the
militants in and around Bajaur Agency on Friday and the previous night
and reportedly gunned down at least 25 alleged militants and injured
scores other while the independent sources say the incessant bombings
also left many civilians dead.
Reports reaching here said the security forces kept pounding militants
den with heavy artillery in different areas of Tehsil Mamond and
Nawagai and the gunship helicopters and the jet planes came hard on
Damadola which resulted in killing of more than two dozen people.
Security forces said an important militant commander was also among
those killed during operation on Friday.
The military sources claimed they have also destroyed as many as 25
hideouts of the militants including nine bunkers. Again a mortar shell
hit house of a civilian in Bajaur Agency but no details of the
casualties could be ascertained.
In the meanwhile the jet planes also targeted militants’ hideouts in
Swat and adjoining areas on Friday. Reports say the security forces
pounded militants’ dens in Matta Tehsil while they also targeted
miscreants positions in Kandaharo in Ghalanai area of Mohmand Agency.
According to sources, security forces used heavy artillery while
targeting militants’ hideouts in Kandaharo. However, no loss of life
was reported.
Agencies add: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday strongly condemned
the bomb blast in Dera Ismail Khan that took many lives. In his
message, President Zardari deplored the tragic act and said the
perpetrators of such heinous crime would not be spared.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in a separate message condemned the
bomb blast in strongest terms. He directed the authorities to
investigate into the matter and asked the provincial government to
provide necessary facilities to the injured for their treatment. NWFP
Governor, Owais Ghani also condemned the D I Khan blast.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday in National Assembly
said an inquiry will be conducted in the incident of bomb blast in
funeral in Dera Ismail Khan.
Earlier, on a point of order Shiekh Waqas Akram said that the victims
of an earlier suicide blast in DI Khan have not yet received
compensation amount as announced by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister assured the House that the victims would definitely
get the compensation amount, adding the Crisis Management Cell is
responsible of distributing the amount, however, he would check the
reasons behind the delay. He further said the Parliament’s Committee,
constituted by the Speaker National Assembly after the in-camera joint
session of the Parliament, would meet in a week. The Committee would
comprise Minister for Foreign Affairs, Advisor to Prime Minister on
Interior and Minister for Defence. The Chief of Inter-services
Intelligence (ISI) would brief the committee over the prevailing
situation in the country and take them into confidence.
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