Date:03/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/03/stories/2009070356081500.htm

International

Suicide bomber attacks bus in Rawalpindi

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: A motorcycle-borne suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying government employees in Rawalpindi on Thursday, killing himself and leaving 25 people injured.

The bomber struck the petrol tank of the vehicle as it waited at the busy Chur Chowk junction in Rawalpindi.

Neighbouring the capital, Rawalpindi is home to the Pakistan military headquarters and has witnessed several suicide attacks targeting the military and intelligence agencies.

Nasir Khan Durrani, Regional Police officer of Rawalpindi, told journalists that the bus was carrying 30 government staff but did not identify the department.

There were unconfirmed reports that the bus belonged to the Heavy Mechanical Complex, a military-weapons manufacturing facility, or to an intelligence agency.

The bus, which had no markings, was badly damaged in the attack as were several other vehicles that were waiting alongside at the junction.

Initial reports said six people were killed, but police later clarified that the only person to die was the suicide bomber himself and that 25 people were wounded in the attack.