KHANEWAL/MULTAN – A huge blast at a seminary in the outskirts of Tehsil Mian Channu on Monday killed at least 15 persons, including seven kids, and injured around 95, as the explosive material stored at a house by the militants ignited resulting in large-scale destruction.
According to details, the explosion rocked the village 129/15-L at 9:30 am, as the people were busy in their routine works. The explosion with deafening sound shattered everything around as more than 25 houses and a health centre were razed to the ground. The intensity of the blast can be gauged by the fact that the blast created a 15 feet deep and 25 feet wide crack. At the time of explosion, a large number of children were studying Quran there and seven of them died in the incident.
Locals say the explosion occurred in the house of Riaz Kamboh, a cleric having links with militant organisations. They further said that Riaz had established the seminary for minor boys and girls just adjacent to his house situated near the government-run health centre of the village.
A local UC Nazim Asif Sindhu talking to media said Riaz had visited Afghanistan for training.
District Police Officer Kamran Khan, who is leading the rescue work, has said that two suicide jackets, six rocket launchers and some jihadi literature are also recovered from the blast site. Sources say the literature found belonged to ‘Harkat-ul-Jihad’, a militant outfit.
On the other hand, Rana Sana Ullah while talking to the newsmen at village 129/15-L has disclosed that three terrorists have been arrested from the area, but he did not confirm the arrest of the house owner Riaz Kamboh. He said Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif is monitoring the rescue work and slackness on the part of any official would not be tolerated.
To assist in the rescue operation, high-ranking officials, fire brigade and social and political volunteers reached the site from Multan and Khanewal, while a heavy police contingent surrounding the locality. Local MNA Pir Aslam Bodla and MPA Babar Japani, both of PPP, and District Naib Nazim Pir Ahmad Nadeem Bodla were also trying to control the situation.
The rescue operation is in progress and the injured are being treated at THQ, DHQ and private hospitals whereas many seriously wounded persons have been shifted to Multan.
Meanwhile, emergency was declared at Nishtar Hospital and Medical College Multan following the Mian Channu blast. The hospital administration arranged 50 beds in emergency block and called all medical staff to duty, who were out or on leave.
Hospital sources disclosed that 19 injured of the blast were brought to the hospital out of which two had expired. The deceased were identified as Ghulam Nabi (40) and Hajra Bibi (4). The condition of five others is also precarious, they added.
According to latest details issued by the district administration 9 had died on the spot and two in the Nishtar Hospital Multan. Three of the dead children belonged to a family including Aaisha (21), Abdullah (16) and Asad (6).
The remaining are Hajran Bibi D/O Anwar, Rimsha D/O Ashraf 3 and Iqra D/O Zulfiqar while three dead bodies are yet be identified in the THQ Hospital Mian Channu.
ONLINES add: Master Riaz, owner of explosion-wrecked house, his brother and their six other associates have been arrested and taken to unspecified destination for interrogation.
According to a private TV channel, Riaz and his brother, who were admitted to a hospital for treatment after being injured in blast, were arrested by a heavy contingent of police and intelligence agencies officials
Earlier, DPO Khanewal and other sources had said that Riaz was member of a banned Sipha-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and participated in Afghan war for about 8 years. He had settled in Mian Channu for the last several years.
Hospital sources have also confirmed Master Riaz Hussain and his brotherÂ’s arrests.
The number of killed is feared to be around 25 to 30 with around 150 houses destroyed completely.
APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday ordered an inquiry and sought an immediate report into the explosion at a village in Mian Channu that killed nearly 20 people and injured several others.
The President expressed his shock over the loss of innocent lives in this dastardly act of terrorism in which apparently explosives hidden in a house went off, causing widespread damage to people and property.
he condemned the incident and said innocent people were falling victim to the acts by unscrupulous elements, who for personal gains were threatening the lives and property of people.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also ordered an inquiry into the explosion.
The PM also denounced the blast and asked the provincial authorities to investigate the matter and submit him an immediate report as to how the incident occurred.
He ordered that best possible medical care be provided to the injured and measures taken to provide relief to those whose houses were damaged and destroyed.
He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and directed the authorities concerned to ensure provision of best medical care to the injured.
The PM also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.