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Pakistan: Wagah suicide attack toll crosses 60

by IBNS 03 Nov 2014, 12:07 am

Islamabad, Nov 3 (IBNS): The death toll in a blast near the Wagah border in Pakistan on Sunday crossed 60, said reports on Monday, even as the responsibility of the suicide attack was claimed by two outfits- Jundullah and TTP-affiliated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.

About 110 people were also injured in the attack in which several children and women also died, according to media reports. 

The blast occurred after the flag- lowering ceremony at the Indo-Pak land border crossing, reports said. The suicide bomber chose to strike at the Wagah border crossing between Pakistan and India known for the famous ritual flag-lowering ceremony.

Pakistan's Punjab state Home Minister, Colonel (Retd) Shuja Khanzada  said the suicide attacker went through four check posts before detonating the explosives.

He told Geo News that the target of the attack was the Rangers ceremony of pulling down the national flag.

He said the severed limbs of the suicide attacker have been sent for the forensic and DNA tests.

The Minister said about 10-15 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast, reported Geo News

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif  has expressed grief and sorrow over the incident.

The newly formed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed they were behind the Wagah border attack as its spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, speaking to Dawn on telephone from Afghanistan, said it was carried out by one of their men.

"We will continue such attacks in the future," Ehsan told Dawn News.

"Some other groups have claimed responsibility of this attack, but these claims are baseless. We will soon release the video of this attack," he said.

"This attack is revenge for the killing of those innocent people in North Waziristan," the banned militant group's spokesman said.  

Reacting on the incident, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, tweeted: "Wahga suicide attack: Prime Minister instructs Interior Minister to provide every assistance needed."

"Wahga border blast is perhaps the biggest hit-back ever since the operation started. Insha'Allah this will end and Pak will see peace," she said.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack.

"Terror attack in Pakistan near Wagah Border is shocking. I strongly condemn such a dastardly act of terrorism.My condolences to the families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured," Modi tweeted.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) is also on high alert after the incident. 

No ritual beating retreat ceremony at the Wagah border will be held for three days from Monday.