Blast at Punjab home minister Shuja Khanzada's political office, 18 dead

[Nostalgic]

A response from the sectarian terrorists after Malik Ishaq's timely demise, and their patron Rana Sanaullah being made the target of allegations?

ATTOCK: An intense explosion has taken place at Punjab home minister Colonel (retd) Shuja Khanzada's political office, leaving seven people dead local media reports. The impact of the blast caused a roof collapse of the building and shattered windows in nearby houses.

According to initial reports, an estimated 20 to 25 people have been buried under rubble as the entire structure has been destroyed. A number of the dead have been pulled out from the building.

The Punjab home minister's staff have confirmed that Khanzada was in the office at the time of the blast, and has been injured. The Punjab home minister's son Sohrab Khanzada also told Geo News that Khanzada was buried under the rubble.

The nature of the blast is not yet known, though some witnesses have claimed that a suicide bomber carried out the attack. This has not been independently confirmed by Dawn.

Shuja Khanzada was given charge of the home department in October 2014 and has been actively involved in major operations against terror outfits. The provincial department he heads is responsible for the maintenance of law and order, and protection of life and property of citizens. He has previously held positions as Provincial Minister Punjab and Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab.

Rescue operations are underway at the scene of the attack. A helicopter has been called in to speed up rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the terrorist attack. The Interior Minister of Punjab has also expressed condolences for the people killed in the blast.

Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan similarly condemned the incident and directed federal and provincial institutions to carry out immediate rescue activities.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1200807/bl...ister-shuja-khanzadas-political-office-7-dead

 

[Runner Up]

Surprisingly there was no security. Usually he had security but not today. I hope he is fine.

 

[Runner Up]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eye witnesses claiming Shuja Khanzada was calling for help but locals failed to rescue him due to lack of heavy machinery</p>— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamidMirGEO/status/632821824984776704">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Runner Up]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shuja Khanzada rescued from rubble but he is badly injured pray for his life</p>— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamidMirGEO/status/632821824980566017">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Deosai]

Damn, we were discussing a few days ago how Attock was a peaceful city and never made the news.........

 

[Strike Rate]

Damn, we were discussing a few days ago how Attock was a peaceful city and never made the news.........

Sad to see my Attock in news this way 8 dead so far this happened in Shadi Khan the village of Shuja Khanzada

 

[Strike Rate]

He was one of those few likable leaders from PMLN and he was trying his best to fight against terrorists in Punjab. He was the one who made Zimbabwe tour possible. A brave retired colonel.

 

[Strike Rate]

According to reports he is no more with us He didn't tasted shahadat during his army life but he did it as a minister and captain of national action plan in Punjab.

 

[Vulcan]

LeJ claims responsibility. - Dawn News

 

[IAJ]

Shuja Khanzaada is also confirmed dead now. Really sad this.

 

[Vulcan]

Nephew of Shuja Khanzada blaming Punjab govt. Said ....

'Punjab govt failed to respond, their rescue teams are incompotent. We want COAS to help us. Please convey our message to Army chief to help us'

 

[Hamza_]

Why cant these terrorists just leave us.

 

[Strike Rate]

Nephew of Shuja Khanzada blaming Punjab govt. Said ....

'Punjab govt failed to respond, their rescue teams are incompotent. We want COAS to help us. Please convey our message to Army chief to help us'

Heard him on Express News he looks so angry over Punjab govt and was asking for Army.

 

[Deosai]

Afghanistan is killing our people, they have declared jihad against us

Erase them from the map

 

[Strike Rate]

Col (Rtd) Shuja Khanzada as a young Armoured Corps officer. He was also present at the Siachen Glacier in 1983.

 

[Strike Rate]

Two brave man died on same day. Here is Punjab Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja KHanzada Facebook post few hours before he died.

 

[niishaa]

Why was he specifically targetted? RIP

 

[Strike Rate]

Why was he specifically targetted? RIP

In Punjab he was leading from front against Terrorists like TTP/LeJ etc as home minister and recently LeJ chief was killed in a police encounter so he was the first name on terrorists list.

 

[niishaa]

In Punjab he was leading from front against Terrorists like TTP/LeJ etc as home minister and recently LeJ chief was killed in a police encounter so he was the first name on terrorists list.

Thanks.

 

[niishaa]

First the school attack and now this death, Does taliban still have widespread support in pakistan?

 

[#GreenRoars]

RIP. Sad news indeed, some hours back he tweeted about Hameed Gul, and now he is also gone

 

[AZ]

a tragic and devastating loss for the country and the party, Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon.

 

[SamNJ]

RIP.
That looks to be the retaliation from scums after some of their prominent leaders taken out by army ops.

Col (Rtd) Shuja Khanzada as a young Armoured Corps officer. He was also present at the Siachen Glacier in 1983.

That's one great pic.

 

[Inswinger]

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un

One of the bravest minister in the current government. A big loss that will be felt for time to come.

It's a shame that the like of Rana Sanaullah are part of the same government as this brave man was.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Nephew of Shuja Khanzada blaming Punjab govt. Said ....

'Punjab govt failed to respond, their rescue teams are incompotent. We want COAS to help us. Please convey our message to Army chief to help us'

Heard him on Express News he looks so angry over Punjab govt and was asking for Army.

As Home Minister would his Uncle not be responsible for putting into place the plans and protocols for rescue ops post such building collapses? If it's a case of these plans not being followed then sure the nephew has a right to be angry but if is was a case of the plans not even being made in the first place then whilst it's very sad for his family but the Minister is partially responsible for his own death.

 

[Fineline]

RIP!One of the very few good guys in PMLN!May Allah grant him Jannah!

 

[BleedGreen]

First the school attack and now this death, Does taliban still have widespread support in pakistan?

They never had support in Pakistan.

 

[filthyfulltoss]

Rip

 

[bond007]

Col (Rtd) Shuja Khanzada as a young Armoured Corps officer. He was also present at the Siachen Glacier in 1983.

beautiful picture
may ALLAH grant him jannah

 

[Bewal Express]

May Allah grant Jannat to him.
The irony cannot be lost on the PML supporters as some of the biggest patrons of these cretins were also from the PML. Whereas IK was quite rightly criticised for wanting to sit down with TTP, these guys gave active protection to these murderers. Ranasanullah needs to be behind bars.

 

[Strike Rate]

May Allah grant Jannat to him.
The irony cannot be lost on the PML supporters as some of the biggest patrons of these cretins were also from the PML. Whereas IK was quite rightly criticised for wanting to sit down with TTP, these guys gave active protection to these murderers. Ranasanullah needs to be behind bars.

Rana had clear issues with Shuja because he was going against his buddies and there reports of grouping in punjab cabinet.

 

[Strike Rate]

Thread title need an update sadly the numbers increase to 18 dead

 

[#GreenRoars]

Thread title need an update sadly the numbers increase to 18 dead

edited sadly

 

[corneredtiger85292]

Shujah Khanzada was my uncle, my family and I are devastated.
My cousins back home in shadi Khan said our village looked like a war zone yesterday, terrible scenes.
Please remember us all in ur prayers, and pray for our nation..when will this madness end !

 

[Strike Rate]

Good reply by Anchor to Daniyal Aziz

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x320qd1" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JaDed]

Rip.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Shujah Khanzada was my uncle, my family and I are devastated.
My cousins back home in shadi Khan said our village looked like a war zone yesterday, terrible scenes.
Please remember us all in ur prayers, and pray for our nation..when will this madness end !

Condolences to you and your family.

 

[Strike Rate]

Shujah Khanzada was my uncle, my family and I are devastated.
My cousins back home in shadi Khan said our village looked like a war zone yesterday, terrible scenes.
Please remember us all in ur prayers, and pray for our nation..when will this madness end !

Your uncle was a great man i met him twice in Chach. ALLAH unko jannat main aala makaam ata kere

 

[#GreenRoars]

Shujah Khanzada was my uncle, my family and I are devastated.
My cousins back home in shadi Khan said our village looked like a war zone yesterday, terrible scenes.
Please remember us all in ur prayers, and pray for our nation..when will this madness end !

May Allah grant him Jannah bro.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

Condolences to you and your family.

Really appreciate it brother, keep us in your prayers

 

[corneredtiger85292]

Your uncle was a great man i met him twice in Chach. ALLAH unko jannat main aala makaam ata kere

Thank you very much for your kind words brother, please keep us in your prayers

 

[corneredtiger85292]

May Allah grant him Jannah bro.

Thank you brother, please keep us all in your prayers

 

[corneredtiger85292]

Our village is small, about 250 houses, everyone knows everyone...when the dust settles and the tears stop one has to wonder how those animals could have known his timings and schedule..hard to understand how those 2 suicide bombers got the information...hopefully some answers will be found.

Just seeing a MQM leader has been shot in Sind, how much longer can we go on like this as a nation !

 

[Strike Rate]

Our village is small, about 250 houses, everyone knows everyone...when the dust settles and the tears stop one has to wonder how those animals could have known his timings and schedule..hard to understand how those 2 suicide bombers got the information...hopefully some answers will be found.

Just seeing a MQM leader has been shot in Sind, how much longer can we go on like this as a nation !

I hope it's not true but there are reports that someone from inside govt provided the info so it looked like inside job because Khanzada wasn't visiting his village regularly because of his busy schedule. They had all the info when he is visiting when he is going to sit in his dera and the security provided was also very less no elite force with him. I know he denied getting protocol but protocol and security are 2 different things they should have made sure his security because he was on hit list of the terrorist after his successful operations against them where he was leading from the front including the encounter of LeJ malik ishaq.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

I hope it's not true but there are reports that someone from inside govt provided the info so it looked like inside job because Khanzada wasn't visiting his village regularly because of his busy schedule. They had all the info when he is visiting when he is going to sit in his dera and the security provided was also very less no elite force with him. I know he denied getting protocol but protocol and security are 2 different things they should have made sure his security because he was on hit list of the terrorist after his successful operations against them where he was leading from the front including the encounter of LeJ malik ishaq.

Everyone in the village is saying that there is a high chance someone from within the government and perhaps even within our village was giving information away. Can't imagine how someone could double cross him like this...we have lived peacefully for hundred of years...our part of the country hardly makes the news for any reason until Sunday. Easily the most darkest moment in our part of the countries history.

He certainly denied getting protocol but as you say, protocol and security are 2 completely different things, he he been asking for his security to be beefed up for some days prior to Sunday, I have no idea why it was not provided. It certainly should have been provided, because of his position and the work he was doing was directly confrontational to certain terrorists groups. All in hindsight now, been overwhelmed with the kind words and thoughts from all over the country, hopefully he will always be remembered as someone who did his best for the country

 

[Strike Rate]

Everyone in the village is saying that there is a high chance someone from within the government and perhaps even within our village was giving information away. Can't imagine how someone could double cross him like this...we have lived peacefully for hundred of years...our part of the country hardly makes the news for any reason until Sunday. Easily the most darkest moment in our part of the countries history.

He certainly denied getting protocol but as you say, protocol and security are 2 completely different things, he he been asking for his security to be beefed up for some days prior to Sunday, I have no idea why it was not provided. It certainly should have been provided, because of his position and the work he was doing was directly confrontational to certain terrorists groups. All in hindsight now, been overwhelmed with the kind words and thoughts from all over the country, hopefully he will always be remembered as someone who did his best for the country

just few days ago here at PP we were talking about how peaceful Attock is if you compare it with rest of the country and you will hardly hear about attock in media

We will always remember Khanzada as a hero.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

just few days ago here at PP we were talking about how peaceful Attock is if you compare it with rest of the country and you will hardly hear about attock in media

We will always remember Khanzada as a hero.

Just gone back and had a look for the thread that you mentioned about attock...nazar lag gya bhai !

Thanks for your kind words mate, keep us and the nation your prayers.

 

[Markhor]

Shujah Khanzada was my uncle, my family and I are devastated.
My cousins back home in shadi Khan said our village looked like a war zone yesterday, terrible scenes.
Please remember us all in ur prayers, and pray for our nation..when will this madness end !

Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. These killers are worse than animals.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. These killers are worse than animals.

Thank you brother, they truly are . The battle to defeat them will be long and more sacrifices will have to be made, but we must erase this cancer from our nation

 

[mani1]

Came accros this in the local rag

Pakistan government minister killed in bomb blast had returned to home village for Bradford man's funeral


THE ASSASSINATION of a Pakistan government minister happened as he and relatives gathered in his home village for the funeral of a Bradford man, it has emerged.

Shuja Khanzada, who was among more than a dozen people killed by a suicide bomber, was a cousin of retired textiles worker Hamayun Khan, of Princeville Street, Girlington, who died earlier this month from heart failure and had lived in Bradford since the 1960s.


Mr Khanzada had returned to his Shadi Khan village in the Attock district for funeral prayers on Sunday last week, some 100km from Islamabad, when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the building where mourners had met, causing the roof to collapse.


On Saturday, mourners from across Bradford's Pakistani community gathered at the Pakistan Community Centre in White Abbey Road to say prayers for the Punjab province Home Minister and the other 11 people who died. All had links back to Bradford.

Parvez Khan, from Girlington, who was at the Bradford prayers this weekend, said: "Bradford's Pakistani community is in mourning. It's disgusting that advantage has been taken of people's grief to make an attack like this. The minister was a cousin of Hamayun's. He had visited Bradford many times, as had the others who were killed. They all had relatives here."

Share article

A news agency in Pakistan is quoting sources from Pakistan's Interior Ministry as saying the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Retired colonel Mr Khanzada, who took on his home ministry role in October last year, has been actively involved in major operations against terror outfits in the province. He was considered a vocal member of the Punjab Cabinet against militants and had received threats from al-Qaeda and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co....d_to_home_village_for_Bradford_man_s_funeral/

 

[Gabbar Singh]

It appears the Minister was being followed for weeks.

Apart from the major players I do not know a lot about Pakistani politicians but from the recent reading I've done it appears this brave man was instrumental in fighting terrorism and extremism within his state. He would also regularly meet with his constituents - something which very few politicians in that part of the world actually do (unless it's election time).

Two men who spied on Shuja Khanzada arrested


LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department on Thursday took two members of a banned organisation into custody who allegedly spied on the assassinated home minister of Punjab, retired Col Shuja Khanzada.

The suspects, identified as Qari Tahir and Mohammad Zubair, had constantly been following Mr Khanzada over the past couple of weeks before terrorists targeted him with a suicide attack in Attock on Aug 17.

The suspects were arrested on information provided by intelligence agencies and they were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation, a senior CTD official told Dawn.

Meanwhile, seven members of a banned organisation were detained from different areas of Lahore.

Three of the arrested people were identified as Qari Attiqur Rehman, Mohammad Irshad and Abdul Razzaq.

CTD SP Maroof Safdar Wahla told Dawn that his department was carrying out operations against members of banned organisations on a daily basis.

He said the arrested people were not hardcore criminals, but they were members of a banned organisation.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1201875

 

[Strike Rate]

It appears the Minister was being followed for weeks.

Apart from the major players I do not know a lot about Pakistani politicians but from the recent reading I've done it appears this brave man was instrumental in fighting terrorism and extremism within his state. He would also regularly meet with his constituents - something which very few politicians in that part of the world actually do (unless it's election time).
http://www.dawn.com/news/1201875

He built a very good relationship with agencies and army and during his term as minister they were on same page in this national action plan that is currently being implemented in whole country after that Army Public School tragedy. Col (rtd) Khanzada also served in ISI for 10-12 years during his time in army so he knew how to handle this stuff.

 

[Strike Rate]

Mere sheher ke 2 bahadur sapoot aik sath. Capt Asfandyar shaheed and Col Shuja Khanzada shaheed.

 

[Nostalgic]

Mere sheher ke 2 bahadur sapoot aik sath. Capt Asfandyar shaheed and Col Shuja Khanzada shaheed.

Salute. They've done Attock and the rest of the country proud.

 

[Nostalgic]

I haven't seen this reported on the local press yet, but it looks like they've made some headway against his killers. Five of them dead, including two women. The operation was carried out based on information extracted from one of the accused arrested previously.

http://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan/2015/10/151015_rawalpindi_terrorist_tk

 

[Strike Rate]

1 saal kitna jaldi guzer jata he...RIP another hero of this nation

 

[corneredtiger85292]

1 year since my uncle was taken away from us. Dont think my family will ever stop missing him

Please remember him in your prayers everyone

 

[Bewal Express]

1 year since my uncle was taken away from us. Dont think my family will ever stop missing him

Please remember him in your prayers everyone

It's shocking that Rana Sanulla walks around free, whilst a decent human being lost his life.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

It's shocking that Rana Sanulla walks around free, whilst a decent human being lost his life.

been away from PP for a while now sorry for the late reply.

This is the Pakistan we have come to know, good honest men disappearing while people like rana sana still around holding high positions etc. Pray for change mate, pray for a better Pakistan

 

[WebGuru]

Tomorrow is the 2nd death anniversary of Shuja Khanzada. We lost 2 gems within 2 days back in 2015