Pakistan suicide bombing update

At least 50 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide attacker detonated a bomb early Friday at a mosque outside the home of Pakistan's former interior minister, officials said.

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Aftab Khan Sherpao, who is running for parliament in general elections next month, was not hurt in the strike, in what appeared to be the second attack against him in eight months. But one of his sons was wounded.

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It comes less than a week after President Pervez Musharraf ended a state of emergency in the embattled country, which has been plagued by several suicide attacks as it heads into the January election. Most of the attacks have been on government installations in the country's northwestern region.

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The blast sprayed ball bearings and nails amid worshippers holding prayers for the Eid holy day at the mosque in Sherpao's residential compound in Sherpao, a village 40 kilometres northeast of the city of Peshawar, a witness said.

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District Mayor Farman Ali Khan said between 50 and 55 people were killed. Local police Chief Feroz Shah said more than 100 were wounded.

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Provincial police Chief Sharif Virk said the bomber was praying in a row of worshippers when he detonated the explosive.

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"We were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred," said Shaukat Ali, 26, whose white cloak and pants were torn and spattered with blood. "It almost blew out our eardrums. Then it was like a scene from doomsday."

Former security official unharmed

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Bloodied clothes, hats and shoes were strewn about the building. Witnesses said the dead included police officers guarding Sherpao, who was Pakistan's top civilian security official in the administration that recently was dissolved ahead of the elections.

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In April, 28 people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a rally for Sherpao's political party in the nearby town of Charsadda. Sherpao was slightly wounded.

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But although election-related violence is common in Pakistan, suspicion over the bombing will likely focus on the pro-Taliban or al-Qaeda militants active in the northwestern region of the country where the attack occurred.

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Islamic militants have repeatedly targeted top figures in the Musharraf government.

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Musharraf himself narrowly escaped assassination in two bombings a few days apart in December 2003 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. At least 16 others died.

With files from the Associated Press

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[gangeticus]

Sure, sure. But even countries that are mostly pagans don't do this kind of thing!

[1980cossie]

shit blowing up shit - sounds good to me better than porn this!!

[2006karem]

don't believe of what was happening today, a taliban cannot kill their muslim brothers as it is a great sin....it is the western country who are trying to create chaos to the muslim world in order that muslim will kill each other as the western country knows that they cannot defeat the muslim fighters, so their plan is to create conflicts between muslims.

[RATIONALMIND001]

Here is another example of Taliban idiots elevating their cause above their humanity; if that isn't religious fanaticism all over.

[jsmith123451]

Pakistani police deserve this!

[The12maniac12]

muslims blowing themselves up? makes it easier for usa :P

[yahoovisitor]

Peace plays a vital role in creating stability in trade, & economy leading to a stable Govt. Pakistan's enemies find their politics & economy disturbed totally if peace prevails here for a week even. RAW has been marked a no of times in the terrorist attacks at Lahore/Pakistan with proofs of Indian manf destructive weapons being used, whenever caught before terrorism. Each time when Pakistan offered for a joint investigation Indian Govt backed out proving its involvement in terrorist attacks.

[shizasyed]

@pablohoney78

long live PAKISTAN and the great people of Pakistan . and mind it that Pakistan will never ever be in the hands of Taliban or any other organization .. inshallah . long live pakistan

[shizasyed]

@samratdp so sad about your comment about Pakistan the great... i dont know why did u said that Pakistanis Deserve this .. really shameful comment . really

[jivekoko]

@mimodaad

You reap what you sow. Pakistan sposored terrorists enjoy killing innocent people in US or India England. Now how do you feel

[FaithFullMemory]

@paul1729 pela bhi ma ki choot patwali ti dubara patwani hai?