7 Killed, 25 Hurt in Blast at Pakistani Minister's Office
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A powerful explosion has rocked Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada’s political office, leaving seven people dead, local media reports.
According to initial reports, an estimated 20 to 25 people have been buried under rubble as the entire structure has been destroyed, The Asia Times reported citing local media.
The Punjab Home Minister’s staff have confirmed that Khanzada was in the office at the time of the blast, and has been injured.
The cause of the blast is not yet known, though some witnesses have claimed that a suicide bomber carried out the attack. This has not been independently confirmed by Dawn.
Shuja Khanzada has been in charge of the home department since Oct 2014. The provincial department is responsible for the maintenance of law and order, and protection of life and property of citizens.
Rescue operations are underway at the scene of the attack. A helicopter has been called in to speed up rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the terrorist attack. The Interior Minister of Punjab has also expressed condolences for the people killed in the blast.
