At least 10 killed in blast in Pakistani capital

www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-06 23:06:58

ISLAMABAD, July 6 (Xinhua) --

At least ten policemen were killed in a blast in Pakistani capital Islamabad on Sunday evening, local TV channels reported.

The explosion occurred in front of a police station near the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque.

Police said over ten policemen were killed and three other injured in the blast.

However, some TV channel reports said 25 others suffered injuries.

Witnesses said that body parts of the victims were scattered and ambulances have reached the blast site.

The police have cordoned off the entire area. The injured have been shifted to local hospital for treatment.

Police said it was a suicide attack and the bomber was walking to the site and launched the attack.

The explosion occurred just after the conclusion of Shuda Conference at Lal Masjid near Melody Chowk in the capital. The conference was held in connection with the death of Lal Masjid supporters who were killed in an operation just a year ago.

Some Lal Masjid followers took to the street in protest in Islamabad on July 3 last year. They tried to snatch arms from the security personnel deployed to maintain law and order, sparking clashes with them.

The security forces eventually launched an operation against armed supporters holed up in Lal Masjid after several rounds of talks aimed at resolving the issue in peaceful manners failed and controlled the mosque.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

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