Top Army medic, 7 others killed in suicide attack
By Our Special Correspondent

RAWALPINDI—At least 8 people including a Surgeon General of Medical Corps Lieutenant Gen. Mushtaq Ahmed Baig were killed while 10 other were wounded in a suicide attack here in jurisdiction of RA Bazaar Police Station Rawalpindi. The incident took place at 2:45 pm when a suicide bomber blew up himself before the vehicle of security forces standing outside the National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA) Swift centre, situated at busiest Mall road of Saddar.
Surgeon General, Lieutenant General Mushtaq Ahmed Baig along with his driver and gunman embraced shahadat along with five civilians in the suicidal attack, ISPR confirmed. The injured were rushed to nearby hospital for immediate medical treatment. Three dead bodies were taken to Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Soon after the incident, Security forces have condoned off the area and started investigation. The loud of explosion was heard in areas of several kilometres.
District Coordinator Officer (DCO) Rawalpindi Iran Elahi, City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz and other high level officer reached on the occasion. According to another report, the driver of Surgeon General of Medical Corps Lieutenant Gen. was also killed in the suicide attack.
President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro, Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani have condemned the suicide attack in jurisdiction of RA Bazaar Police Station Rawalpindi. President Pervez Musharraf strongly condemning the incident has ordered the relevant departments to probe the incident and give him a detailed report.
President Musharraf expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the incident and condoled with the bereaved families. He reiterated the government’s resolve to clamp down on terrorism and terrorists and said that the perpetrators such acts would be brought to justice. Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro and Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani also condemned the incident strongly and expressed their condolence with the bereaved families and prayed for their patience and fortitude.
Interior minister Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz and caretaker Information Minister Nisar Memon also expressed their grief and sorrow over the incident. After the suicide attack in R.A Bazaar in Rawalpindi, the entire country including the federal capital has been placed on high alert. To this effect the interior ministry has directed for increased security at all exist and entry points of all cities. At least 8 people including a Surgeon General of Medical Corps Lieutenant Gen. Mushtaq Ahmed Baig were killed while 10 other were wounded in a suicide attack here in jurisdiction of RA Bazaar Police Station Rawalpindi. Security has been beefed up at all the key and sensitive buildings, embassies and public places. Security personnel have been deployed at all exist and entry points of the federal capital and all vehicles entering and leaving are being thoroughly checked.
DG ISPR and Interior Ministry on Monday strongly condemned the martyrdom of Lt General Mushtaq Baig and seven others in Rawalpindi Bomb Blast on Monday terming it highly gruesome. While talking to a Private TV, Javed Iqbal Cheema strongly condemned the suicide attack in which 8 persons were killed including martyrdom of Lt General Mushtaq Baig. He confirmed that it was a suicide blast.
He said that Lt General Mushtaq Baig was going in his vehicle along with his Guard and Driver when suddenly a youngster (age between 15 to 17 years) came near the vehicle and exploded himself when the car was standing due to red light.