Suicide bomber attacks Pakistan lawmaker‘s home, killing 15
By NAHAL TOOSI, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – A suicide bomber attacked a lawmaker‘s house in eastern Pakistan on Monday, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 50, officials and a witness said.
It came as Pakistan insisted Monday it has not made a deal allowing the U.S. to fire missiles at militant hide-outs in Pakistani territory after The Wall Street Journal quoted President Asif Ali Zardari as suggesting otherwise.
The reported comments could undermine Zardari just a month into his presidency, especially with Pakistan‘s powerful military. Pakistan‘s army traditionally views India as its No. 1 enemy and has denied making any agreement with the U.S. on cross-border operations.
“We have an understanding, in the sense that we‘re going after an enemy together,” it then quotes him as saying. The interview appeared Saturday.
“The official position is that we do not allow foreign incursions into Pakistani territory,” Babar said.
Washington complains that Pakistan is unwilling or unable to take strong action against the extremists.
Police officer Khan Baig said at least 15 people were killed and more than 50 others were wounded. It was not immediately clear whether Niwani was among them or why he was targeted.
Punjab, Pakistan‘s most populous and prosperous province, has largely been spared the militant-led violence that has gripped the nation‘s northwest, where Taliban and al-Qaida militants have bases.
Last week, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the house of a leading pro-government politician, killing four people.
Associated Press writers Asif Shahzad and Zarar Khan contributed to this report.
