Three killed, 14 injured in Rawalpindi suicide blast

The bomber was stopped at a police check post for a physical search where he blew himself up.

RAWALPINDI: As many three people were killed and at least 14 others were injured in a blast near an Imam bargah in Gracy Lines, Rawalpindi on Tuesday evening, Express News reported.

Express News correspondent Imran Asghar reported that according to CCPO Rawalpindi Akhtar Umar Lalika, the blast was caused by a suicide bomber. He approached the Imambargah Isna Ashra on foot, just as a congregation was underway.

The bomber was stopped at the first police check post for a physical search where he blew himself up.

Asghar added that the first cordon, manned by police officials and supervised by the area SHO himself, was located 30 feet from the side wall of the Imam bargah. There is at least one other check post where visitors are physically searched before being allowed to enter the building.

Sub-inspector Amanat Ali of the Airport Police Station was among those killed, while SHO Rab Nawaz among seven police officials were injured, six critically.

14 of the critically injured were transferred to the Benazir Bhutto hospital for treatment. Three dead bodies were also brought to the hospital.

"We have three bodies and 14 wounded people at our hospital," Asif Qadir Mir, chief of the local government hospital, told AFP.

Police and other security agencies cordoned off the area immediately after the blast and collected evidence. The bomb disposal squad also searched the site for evidence.

The blast damaged at least two cars and almost a dozen motorcycles.

The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen condemned the blast.

Gracy Lines is located in a very sensitive part of Rawalpindi, situated between military residential buildings, the Benazir airport and Chaklala air base.