Blast Inside Finance Minister’s Home Kills Three Guards

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: Three persons were killed and six others injured in a bomb attack at the residence of Provincial Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd in Railway Housing Society of here on Thursday.

According to sources, Mir Asim Kurd left for Civil Secretariat on 12:30 am soon after a huge blast occurred inside his house, killing two security guards instantly and injuring seven others.

A vehicle parked inside the house completely damaged in the blast and windowpanes of house and nearby building were smashed as a result of the powerful blast.

The dead bodies and injured were taken to the Provincial Sandeman Hospital where the deceased had been identified as security guards Abdul Salam, Gul Zaman and personal employee Takri Mohammad Usman and injured were Mohammad Ibraim, Saeed Ahmed, Yousuf, Allah Noor, Sultan and Nida Khan.

According to some eyewitnesses, when the main gate of house was opened for water tanker there was a big explosion. Some people thought it was a suicide attack. But others ruled it out that there was no target, only employees and guards were there. A few minutes earlier, Mr Kurd, who is also Parliamentary Party leader of the PML-Q in the Balochistan Assembly had left to attend his Secretariat Office around noon.

“We were sitting at guest room when a huge blast took place,” said Saeed Ahmed and he said he does not know whether it was suicide attack or not because he says “as soon as water tanker entered blast took place.”

It was suicide blast and we have collected evidence and sent the reports to provincial government, an official of Bomb Disposal Squad told journalists. Provincial Minister Communication and Works, Mir Sadiq Umrani also confirmed that it was a suicide attack and possibly a reaction of tough statement made by Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

It could be a suicide attack because the limbs of bomber had been collected from the crime scene and around 15kg explosive material was used in the blast, an official of Bomb Disposal Squad said.

“I was on my way to office when someone informed me about blast,” said Minister Asim Kurd adding that he did not receive any threat from any organization and nor have enmity with any one. “I am inhabitant of Balochistan. I am not scare of blast.”  Minster said adding “Investigations were started and soon I will know that who was involved in this attack.”

Talking to journalists, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani has denied that it was suicide attack and said may be miscreant had placed explosive material in the vehicle parked inside the house of Minister which exploded killing many people. The vehicle has been parked for the past 20 days thus there is possibility, he said adding that investigations were underway.

However, there is no evidence that it was a suicide attack. In absence of Asim Kurd, the bomber may not strike. It is doubtful. Some people are seeking cheap publicity terming it a suicide attack and that too inside his house while Mr. Kurd was not present. He is not a political entity thus no one will make him a target for suicide attack, observers opined.

So far no one had claimed the responsibility till late on Thursday evening.

To see the blast photos, click here

To read Balochistan Government’s Reaction, click here