September 2007 bombings in Rawalpindi

The 4 September 2007 Rawalpindi bombings refer to the incident on 4 September 2007 in which suicide bombers attacked a bus carrying Government workers exploded in a commercial district of Rawalpindi. It is estimated to have killed 25 people and injured 68.[1] Police have increased security within the nearby Pakistani capital of Islamabad.[2]

Events

The bombs exploded after 7:20 am near the army General Headquarters and other top military sites. One attack was aimed at Defence Ministry bus picking up army staff passengers and an explosive laden motorcycle caused the second attack, near a market.[3]

Bus attack

At 7:20 am, the front of a bus carrying army staff passengers exploded, blowing off the 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 believes the bomb may have been previously planted.[2]

Motorcycle

Approximately fifteen minutes after the first blast, a suicide bomber crashed a motorcycle into nearby vehicles, killing at least one colonel.[4]

Suspects

Preliminary investigations concerning the September 2007 bombings in Rawalpindi note that the Taliban figure Baitullah Mehsud is the primary suspect behind the attacks.[5]

References

1. Twin blasts kill 25 in Rawalpindi Archived 20 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. The Pioneer, 5 September 2007
2. Zaidi, Mubashir; Henry Chu (4 September 2007). "Pakistani capital on high alert after attacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
3. "25 killed in Rawalpindi blasts", The Hindu, 5 September 2007
4. Waraich, Omar; Saeed Shah (4 September 2007). "Pakistani army hit as suicide bombers kill 25". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
5. Baitullah Mehsud behind attacks in Rawalpindi, Daily India