A suicide blast took place in northwestern Pakistan on Friday
when people were offering Eid prayers, leaving over 55 people dead
and 35 others injured, the official PTV reported.
The blast occurred in a mosque near the village of former
interior minister Aftab Sherpao, who was attending the prayers with
his family members, said the report.
Sherpao was offering prayers at the first row when a suicide
attacker launched the attack at the second row, leaving 55 people
dead and 35 others including Sherpao's son Mustafa Sherpao injured.
Sherpao remained safe in the attack.
Over 1,000 people were present at the time of blast in the
mosque, some 25 km from Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier
Province (NWFP).
The injured and dead bodies have been transferred to local
hospitals and the police have started an investigation.
Sherpao is the head of Pakistan People's Party (Sherpao group)
and former Chief Minister NWFP. He has filed nomination papers to
contest the forthcoming general elections.
Eid-Ul-Azha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims.
Pakistani government announced that the country would observe Eid
holidays from Dec. 20 to 22.
(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2007)
