4 killed, 21 injured in Nowshera blast
A huge explosion occurred at around 1:30pm at the main entrance of the shrine, killing four people while 21 were injured, Mumtaz Khan, official of Nowshera Kalan police told The Express Tribune.
Khan said that due to security reasons, the visitors were directed to leave their luggage and offerings at the entrance of the shrine. He added that the bomb was planted in a polythene bag placed near the gate.
Soon after the blast, residents and visitors started rescue work and rushed the injured to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ).
“Thirteen injured were taken to the DHQ, while five critically injured were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar,” Khan said.
"According to our initial information it was a remote-controlled bomb but we are waiting for a final report from the bomb disposal officials," senior police official Hussain Khan told AFP.
Some people with minor injuries were taken to the nearby private clinics and Basic Health Units, the official added
Khan said the number of casualties could rise as a large number of people including women and children were present in the shrine at the time of explosion.
The official said that the shrine was frequented by locals and the large number of people who had gathered on account of Eidul Azha had been targeted. A fair set up near the shrine on account of Eid had also drawn a large crowd.
The shrine houses the grave of a famous Pashtun Sufi saint Kasteer Gul, also known as Kaka Saheb
President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have also taken notice of the incident. Radio Pakistan reported that the president and prime minister had strongly condemned the blast and directed authorities to provide the injured with the best available medical care.
Illegal SIM used in attack?
Interior Minister Rehman Malik tweeted on Sunday that the bomb planted outside the Nowshera shrine was set off by remote control using an illegal subscriber identity module (SIM).
"Terrorists failed yesterday now hv done the remote control bombing by using illegal Sim? ILLEGAL SIMs have become now a dangerous weapon."
Malik added in subsequent tweet that a team of forensic investigators of the Federal Intelligence Agency have been dispatched to the blast site to gather evidence.
"I have already cancelled the holidays of FIA forensic team to reach crime scene. @Saiif: @SenRehmanMalik track out IMEI numberand arrest them."
COMMENTS (10)
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people who speak this language can only understand this language, they cant be negotiated with. Does anyone think that Hitler after having sent millions to concentration camps would have agreed to negotiate with the rest of the world while he thought he can rule the world? For anyone who thinks that talks are the answer really show their naivete'.
It's very sad to see the Sufi Shrines being bombed in Pakistan. I have visited Ziarat Kaka Sahib many times as a child. Let's see how many leaders belonging to religious parties condemn such dastardly acts, they are usually very vocal against the drone attacks.
@Leila Rage: "condemnation is not enough. when will the government take action?"
Zardari is waiting for consensus that bombing Sufi shrines is wrong. Ofcourse since such a consensus does not exist - as you would know if you asked your esteemed Hafiz Saeed saab, no action will be forthcoming.
condemnation is not enough. when will the government take action?
So, I see Rehman Malik's antics failed. This government has done zilch, as far as an anti-terrorism policy is concerned. But then again, can a government dominated by feudals really stipulate pro-people policies and implement them? No.
The easiest thing our general population will do is to blame the Taliban or the government and then they will have a good night sleep. The people who support these acts are among us and they are in great numbers. In Punjab and in KPK in almost all regions JUD, Lashkar e Jhagnvi and many banned Organizations were seen collecting hides in open manner and Sipah Sahaba and Lashkar e Jhangvi openly getting hides by stating that they will defeat Shias in Pakistan and JUD and others are stating that they will cleanse and bring the Pure Islam and one of the cleansing is to get rid of Sufi Shrines who brought Religion Islam in this region in the first place. So this is the mindest is among us and we cannot blame anyone but sooner or later it will engulf the whole Pakistan and Our Ignorance will ultimately implode this country in future.
By a religion of peace in the land of peace.
Strategic assets strike again while we beg the US not to drone them.