The 4 September 2007 Rawalpindi bombings refer to the incident on 4 September 2007 in which suicide bombers attacked a bus carrying Government workers in a commercial district of Rawalpindi. It is estimated to have killed 25 people and injured 68.[1] Police increased security in the nearby Pakistani capital of Islamabad.[2]
Events
editThe bombs exploded after 7:20 am near the army General Headquarters and other top military sites. One attack was aimed at a Defence Ministry bus picking up army staff passengers and an explosives-laden motorcycle caused the second attack, near a market.[3]
Bus attack
editAt 7:20 am, the front of a bus carrying army staff passengers exploded, blowing off the vehicle's roof and destroying all but the rearmost seats.[4] Although Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema referred to the attack as a suicide bombing, a local police officer stated the bomb might have been previously planted.[2]
Motorcycle
editApproximately fifteen minutes after the first blast, a suicide bomber crashed a motorcycle into nearby vehicles, killing at least one colonel.[4]
Suspects
editPreliminary investigations concerning the September 2007 bombings in Rawalpindi note that the Taliban figure Baitullah Mehsud is the primary suspect behind the attacks.[5]
References
edit- ^ Twin blasts kill 25 in Rawalpindi Archived 20 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. The Pioneer, 5 September 2007
- ^ a b Zaidi, Mubashir; Henry Chu (4 September 2007). "Pakistani capital on high alert after attacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 September 2007. [dead link ]
- ^ "25 killed in Rawalpindi blasts", The Hindu, 5 September 2007
- ^ a b Waraich, Omar; Saeed Shah (4 September 2007). "Pakistani army hit as suicide bombers kill 25". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 21 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
- ^ Baitullah Mehsud behind attacks in Rawalpindi Archived 31 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Daily India