The lion of Pakhtunkhwa, Asfandyar Wali Khan, attacked by Taliban terrorists.

Unhurt Asfand vows to hit back, establish govt’s writ

5 killed in attack on Wali’s house

Staff Reporter/Agencies

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up as he tried to run into the house of Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Thursday, killing five and injuring 12 others. Asfandyar remained unhurt. Asfandyar Wali Khan was meeting guests in his 'Hujra' (guest house) on the second day of Eidul Fitr when his house was attacked, police officials said. "Five people were killed in the suicide blast. The target was Asfandyar Wali but he is safe," Mian Iftikhar, the information minister for NWFP told reporters.

Provincial police chief Malik Naveed told reporters that guards shot the bomber before he blew himself up.

"The suicide bomber tried to pass from the security scanner avoiding a physical search. Two security guards grabbed him but he tried to get away," Naveed said. "Then he was shot and as soon as he fell on the ground he blew himself up."

A senior party member said that one of Khan's armed guards was killed in the latest attack.

Police said the other victims included a policeman and a bank manager, Fazal Ghani, who was visiting to pay his respects to Khan.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani have condemned the brutal act of terrorism on President ANP Asfandyar Wali in strong words and reiterated government's firm commitment to root out the menace of terrorism and extremism.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message while urging the unity underlined that the incumbent government is determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and the political leadership would not let the terrorists to succeed their nefarious designs.

According to sources, the President telephoned ANP President and inquired about his condition and thanked the Almighty Allah over the safety of prominent leader of the country.

He also expressed his condolence with the heirs of those who lost their loved ones in the suicide blast.

Expressing his condolence over Charsadda blast, Prime Minster Yousaf Raza Gillani in his message termed the blast a conspiracy to destabilise the country said that the government is using all its resources to eliminate terrorism.

The prime minister also announced Rs 300,000 each for those who lost their lives while Rs. 100,000 each for injured.

According to eyewitness, a 17 year old boy tried to enter in main "Hujra" (guest house) at Wali Bagh, when security guards stopped to check him, he rushed from the site, while the police opened fired hit bullets to stop him, but he blew himself up.

Talking to reporters the central president of ANP Asfandaryar Wali Khan has said that the government would not be pressurised by such attacks. "Our point of view is very clear that we will negotiate only with those who lay down arms," he said. He made it clear that government would establish its writ any cost. "We will hit back and hit back strongly," Asfand said; adding that his party would not change its stance. "We stand for this soil and would die for this soil," he said. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident.

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar reiterated that those who would shun confrontation and lay down arms, the government would negotiate with them, adding that the Bacha Khan Tehrik could not be ended through suicide attacks.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Fb_ShortNewsT.aspx?fbshortid=3441&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current&bcatid=14&bstatus=Current


Report

ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan survived a deadliest suicide attack in Wali Bagh Charsada at his guesthouse. In the suicide attack five persons including a gunman of ANP leader were killed beside the suicider. The verbal fight between Taliban and ANP leadership persistently continued for the last couple of weeks on the issue of military operation in FATA and swat as well. Taliban leadership in the past had welcomed the ANP led government in the Pukhtoonkhwa, NWFP for its policy statement to hold negotiations and make agreements with Taliban leadership to bring an end to the ongoing strife in Swat and FATA.The truce had proved very fruitful for some time but unfortunately some hidden hands sabotaged the peace agreements after which both sides blamed each other for violating the agreements. The federal government has repeatedly told the nation that the ongoing military operation in Swat and FATA had been launched on the request of the ANP led government to bring an end to the activities of the militants. A few days back too the top leadership of Taliban had held a meeting chaired by the ailing leader at that time Baitullah Mehsud had warned the ANP leadership to review their policy regarding Taliban and bring an end to the military operation both in FATA and Swat or get ready to face the music. So it was observed today on Thursday that Taliban played the music of a suicide blast inside the Hujra of ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan in which five persons were reportedly killed. Asfandyar Wali Khan told the media that he was not afraid of death by saying that Allah Almighty was the most powerful Protector than those who wished him to be killed. He also said that he and his workers would not deviate from the political path and mission of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan until only one worker of ANP is alive. He made it crystal clear that through such suicide attacks, he could not be scared. He strongly condemned the suicide attack and said that it was not a right path in politics. In the district of Swat Taliban have so far cuased human and material loss to ANP as compared to other parties for their war against Taliban and militants.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/1435610-suicider-attack