Suicide blast at Asfandyar Wali’s ‘Hujra’ kills 5 in Charsadda ANP not to change its stand on war on terror: Asfandyar CHARSADDA: A suicide bomber blew himself up as he tried to run into the house of Awami National Party (ANP) President, Asfandyar Wali Khan on Thursday, killing five, injuring 12 people but missing the politician, officials said. It happened as Asfandyar Wali Khan was visiting a guest in his ‘Hujra’ (guest house) attached to his house during celebrations on the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr, police and party officials said. "Five people were killed in the suicide blast. The target was Asfandyar Wali but he is safe," Mian Iftikhar, the information minister for NWFP told reporters. Provincial police chief Malik Naveed told reporters that guards shot the bomber before he blew himself up. "The suicide bomber tried to pass from the security scanner avoiding a physical search. Two security guards grabbed him but he tried to get away," Naveed said. "Then he was shot and as soon as he fell on the ground he blew himself up.” He added, "we had made strict security arrangements and that is why the attacker could not cause more damage or casualties." A senior party member said that one of Khan`s armed guards was killed in the latest attack. Police said the other victims included a policeman and a bank manager, Fazal Ghani, who was visiting to pay his respects to Khan. The ANP is a secular party supporting the rights of ethnic Pashtuns and Taliban militants have carried out several attacks on its political rallies and its leaders. Twenty-five people were killed in a bombing at an ANP rally in Charsadda in February. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast, the. "Elements bent upon destroying the peace of the country will not be allowed to succeed in their ulterior motives," President Zardari said. Meanwhile, Chief of ANP Asfandyar Wali Khan made it clear that his party would not change its stand and no body would be allowed to challenge the writ of the government. “We stand for this soil and would die for this soil,” Asfandyar Wali said this while talking with journalists at Wali Bagh Charsadda after he narrowly escaped the suicide attack, which occurred in his hujra. He said that such cowardly acts could not daunt the government of its duty to eliminate these elements from the country. He strongly condemned the blast and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident. Asfandyar Wali Khan said that his party would pursue the national policy in the war against terrorism. “Every worker of ANP would fight against terrorism and religious fundamentalism in the country,” he added. He said that government would negotiate those who lay down their arms and accept writ of the government. The ANP chief said that terrorists wanted to create unrest and anarchy in the country but government would foil such designs of the militants. PM Gilani announces compensation for victims of Wali Bagh suicide attack Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemning the Wali Bagh suicide attack as “a cowardly act of terrorism” said Thursday that those playing with the innocent lives would not escape the wrath of Allah and law of the land. In a message to ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali, the Prime Minister expressed grief and anguish over the loss of precious lives in the suicide attack that occurred near the residence of the ANP Chief in Charsada. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s firm commitment to curb terrorism and extremism with iron hands. He conveyed his sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Gilani thanked Almighty Allah, who saved the life of ANP Chief. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Gilani has also announced a compensation of Rs. 300,000 each for the families of those who lost their lives in the attack and Rs. 100,000 each for the injured. Zardari condemns suicidal attack on ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday condemned the suicidal attack on Awami National Party (ANP) Chief Asfandyar Wali in the strongest terms, which took place Thursday evening in his Hujra at Wali Bagh near Charsada. Speaking to the ANP Chief by telephone, the President expressed his gratitude to Allah Almighty that the veteran politician and coalition partner Asfandyar Wali is safe and sound in this coward attack. “We all the Pakistanis Baluchis, Sindhis Pathans, Punjabis and Mohajirs will fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism and save the federation and Pakistan regardless of the sacrifices,” told the President to the ANP Chief. “The terrorism will be defeated by further fostering unity and strength in our ranks,” he continued. The present government is committed to wipe out the scourge of terrorism, targeting the people of Pakistan indiscriminately, he said adding that the unflinching resolve of the political dispensation along with the support and backing of the entire nation will frustrate the ulterior designs of terrorists. The President expressed sympathies with those who embraced martyrdom as a result of suicidal blast and vowed to continue fight against terrorism. He also sympathized with those who were injured in this suicidal attack. End.