The death toll from a suicide bombing in Pakistan rose to 28 yesterday as investigators attempted to identify the bomber who tried to kill the interior minister. More than 50 people were injured.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred just after Pakistan’s interior minister (Aftab Khan Sherpao) finished speaking to a rally of his political supporters. He sustained minor injuries on his both legs from shrapnel and pellets in the attack. One of his aides and several of his security detail were killed.
Investigators found the severed head and torso of the grey-bearded suspect and were trying to establish his identity. Officials say the attack may have been plotted by Islamist militants. A police investigator said the bomber was either an Afghan or from Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Authorities were preparing a sketch of the suspect to help identify him.
The information minister says the attack is -
open terrorism and that Pakistan is fighting terrorism with full commitment.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai’s office says in a statement that the attack shows the need for strong cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight against terrorism.
While speaking to reporters, Sherpao declined to blame who was behind the attack but said that the war against extremism and terrorism will continue.
