Four killed as suicide blast hits sports event
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—At least four persons were killed and 17 other seriously injured as a result of suicide attack at the closing ceremony of the inter-provincial games here in Qayyum Sports Complex. Senior Provincial Minister, Bashir Ahmed Bilour narrowly escaped in the incident. There is fear of death toll. Several vehicles were damaged in the incident while window pans of the nearby buildings were also smashed.
The blast occurred after five minutes when Chief guest, Governor NWFP, Owais Ahmad Khan Ghani left Qayyum Sports Complex. In the meantime, a suicide bomber tried to cross the gate, but security personnel deputed at the gate intercepted him and asked him to show the entry card. But he blew himself with explosive.
As a result, three security officials were killed on the spot while 17 other wounded. The deceased and injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and Cantonment Board Hospital Peshawar. Emergency has been declared in all the hospitals. Sources told that blast occurred near the vehicle number 7915 (Peshawar), which was parked near the vehicle of Bashir Ahmad Bilour. However, Bashir Ahmad Bilour remained safe and sound in the incident.
Eyewitnesses told that firework was going on at the time of the blast. Provincial Information Minister, Iftikhar Hussain, Provincial Minister for Sport and Culture, Syed Aqil Shah , office bearers of Pakistan Cricket Board, officials of other sports organizations, thousands of spectators from throughout Pakistan were also present in the Qayyum Sports Complex at the time of blast.
Police and law enforcing agencies who were already present there have sealed the entire Qayyum Sports Complex soon after the incident. DCO Peshawar, Sahibzada Anis while talking to Journalists has termed the blast a suicide attack and said that five persons have been injured in the incident.
Law enforcing agencies have also found the limbs of suicide bomber. However, it is difficult to identify or determine age of suicide bomber, he added. Provincial Sports Minister, Syed Aqil Shah has said that all the spectators and players present inside the stadiums are safe. Sources further added that one of the deceased Jamil Ahmad was resident of Dera Ismail Khan.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Speaker National, Dr. Fehmida Mirza and other Federal and Provincial Ministers have strongly condemned the suicide attack in Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar. In their separate messages of condolences they expressed their resolve to fight against these culprits. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani also directed the Provincial government for immediate investigation.
Similarly, Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has also expressed his deep sense of sorrow and grief over the bomb blast in Peshawar. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said that terrorist elements will not be able to achieve their nefarious ends through such cowardly acts.
The Chief Minister prayed that May Allah Almighty rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude. He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons.