Punjab Home Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada was martyred along with dozens of others in a suicide blast at his political office in Shadi Khan near Attock on Sunday.
Adviser to Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Dr Saeed Elahi, confirmed Khanzada’s death. “Home Minister Shuja Khanzada was martyred in the suicide blast.”
Police said the blast appeared to be a large bomb, and it had caused the roof to cave in as Khanzada held meetings with supporters in his hometown of Attock. Khanzada was trapped under the rubble along with dozens of others as the entire structure of his office building collapsed.
“The bodies of eight people have been pulled out from the rubble,” Zahid Saeed, the commissioner of Rawalpindi, told reporters earlier, adding it was a suicide attack.
“There were between 20 and 30 people present when the blast took place,” district information officer Shahzad Niaz told Reuters. “The roof collapsed.”
Rescue workers at the scene said eight bodies had been recovered so far. DSP Hazro Shaukat Shah was among the dead. Further, there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Earlier, Punjab Home Department Secretary Azam Suleman told that Khanzada was critically injured and trapped under debris.
“From the evidence available, it seems that it was a suicide blast,” Shuja Khanzada’s son said, according to Express News. Further, Khanzada’s nephew appealed to Pakistan Army to help with rescue efforts.
Police and rescue teams have reached the site and rescue efforts are underway. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in the twin cities. Further, Inter Services Public Relations said, “Pakistan Army’s special urban search and rescue teams have reached the blast site.”
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar directed for the provision of helicopters from the Interior Ministry for shifting the injured on an emergency basis. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the blast and DPO Attock reached the site.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also condemned the blast at Khanzada’s residence and called for immediate rescue measures and medical aid for the injured.
Rescue efforts underway outside Khanzada’s political office
Khanzada was given charge of the provincial home department in October 2014. He previously held positions as Punjab provincial minister and adviser to Punjab chief minister.
Condemnations pour in
Soon after news of Khanzada’s death, PM Nawaz said, “Sacrifices of our brave nation and valiant heroes like Shuja Khanzada will decimate terrorist designs and they will be chased to their last hideout and eliminated with national resolve and unity.”
“The courage and valour of Shuja Khanzada is message to the masterminds of terrorists that they are bound to be defeated,” he added.
The premier reaffirmed the commitment and determination of the government for pursuing the National Action Plan against terrorism with full force and directed for preemptive security strategy to counter terrorist planning.
PM Nawaz urged law enforcement agencies to not lower their guards till the elimination of the last terrorist.
Meanwhile, PTI chairman Imran Khan said he was grieved to learn of Khanzada’s death.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah condemned Khanzada’s killing and said they will not rest until terrorism is eliminated. “The attack is an act of cowardice,” he added.
Further, Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack on Khanzada’s political office and called for unity in the national ranks to eliminate terrorism. In a statement released by PPP’s media cell on Sunday, Bilawal said, “Such cowardly attacks cannot lower the morale of the nation which has risen up against bloodshed and terrorism.” The PPP chairman also prayed for those who lost their lives in the attack and wished for the early recovery of the injured.
