Suicide Attack Kills Home Minister Shuja Khanzada in Pakistan
KABUL: (Middle East Press) A suicide bomb attack killed Punjab Home Minister Colonel (retd) Shuja Khanzada and eight others Sunday in Shadi Khan Village near Attock, in the eastern Pakistani province of Punjab.
According to Pakistani police, the incident took place when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives while a jirga (meeting) was under way at Khanzada’s political office.
His death was confirmed by Dr Syed Elahi, advisor to the chief minister of Punjab.
Nearly 100 people have been buried under rubble as the entire structure has been destroyed.
Nadim Hussain, a police officer in the province, said Khanzada was meeting with local residents when the bomb attack was carried out. He said rescue efforts were underway to save those trapped under the rubble.
Sources in the interior ministry said the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. They said Khanzada was under threat following the killing of LeJ chief Malik Ishaq in July.
