 |
SARGODHA:Security personnel from Pakistan Air Force inspect a damaged bus after a suicide motorcycle bomb attack in Sargodha. At least nine people, including eight security officials, were killed when a suicide attacker rammed his explosive laden motorbike on a Pakistan Air Force bus. |
|
|
|
|
| |
SARGODHA/ISLAMABAD: At least nine people, including eight Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officials, were killed Thursday in a suicide attack On a Pakistan Air Force bus at Sargodha Faisalabad road.
A suicide bomber riding an explosive-laden motorcycle blew himself up near the bus carrying the air force personnel on duty from Matha Massom to Sargodha Air Base, said a PAF statement.
As per the latest information available, eight personnel have embraced Shahadat and forty are injured. The injured have been admitted to the Hospitals, the statement said.
"The bus was targeted when it was carrying the employees of the Pakistan Air Force to a training school at the air base, and this was a routine movement which takes place every morning," said Javed Iqbal Cheema, a spokesman of interior ministry.
Four flying officers, three civilian employees and one squadron leader were among the eight dead air force personnel, while the charred body of the suspected suicide bomber was also found at the scene.
More than 40 people, including six children in a school van passing nearby, were wounded in the bombing, said Waseem Ahmed, the district police officer.
The injured have been shifted to Sargodha hospitals and 22 are said to be in critical condition and have been shifted to PAF hospital Sargodha. Emergency has been declared at all the local hospitals nearby
Five of the deceased have been identified as Sohaib, Zain ul Abadin, Kamran, Shoaib and Bilal.
Security has been intensified at the site and Faisalabad Road has been closed for traffic.
President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, PAF chief Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed and Chairman Senate, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro have expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives of 8 PAF men and condemned the incident at the strongest term.
President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in their statement condemning the incident have vowed to clamp down on terrorism and said that some anti country elements are targeting the security forces and we would continue to hunt them.
They said that no one would be allowed to tamper with the law and order in the country and urged all political parties to work with the government in identifying and ending the menace of terrorism.
President said that security forces are sacrificing their lives for the safety of the general pubic and terrorist forces are targeting them to deteriorate the law and order situation. He said that all such attempts would be foiled. He ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident and directed for best medical care for the injured.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and Air chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed also condemned the incident and termed it as a heinous act of the anti state elements who are even devoid of basic human values.
In a statement, the Senate Chairman expressed deep shock and grief over the loss of precious human lives in the tragic incident. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed souls and grant patience to the bereaved to bear the loss with equanimity.
Deputy Chairman Senate, Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali and Leader of the House in the Senate, Mr. Wasim Sajjad have also condemned the suicide blast and termed the act as a great tragedy.
End. | 
Health
