Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 29, 2007

Suicide Attack Targets Pakistan Interior Minister
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1742EA8:A6F02AD83191E16040D18A54EA36AD179574F7DCC14957C0 Blast occurred
just minutes after Pakistan's interior minister addressed public
meeting A suicide bomb blast ripped through a packed political rally
in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 22 people and wounding 25
others. From Lahore, VOA correspondent Benjamin Sand reports the
country's powerful interior minister is among those wounded.







Pakistani police officers examine the damaged vehicle of Interior
Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao at the site of suicide bombing in
Charsadda, 28 Apr 2007

The bomb blast occurred in the northwestern town of Charsadda, just
minutes after Pakistan's interior minister, Aftab Sherpao, addressed a
packed public meeting.

Sherpao's interior ministry spokesman, Syed Kamal Shah, says it was
definitely a suicide bombing.

He says the attack occurred just as the interior minister finished his
speech and was heading toward his car.

He says local security personnel tried to block the suspected bomber
as he approached the minister. Seconds later the blast ripped through
the crowded rally.

Local television pictures show a visibly wounded Sherpao being rushed
to a nearby hospital for treatment where doctors say he is already out
of danger.

Authorities say they have recovered the bomber's head and upper body
and are trying to learn his identity.   Northwestern Pakistan, where
the attack occurred, borders Afghanistan and is believed to be used by
pro-Taleban militants as sanctuary.

The bloody attack comes just as Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf
and his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, are preparing to meet in
Turkey to discuss border security.


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