Pakistan’s federal minister for housing Akram Khan Durrani today escaped unhurt in an IED blast which killed two people in the volatile northwest of the country, police said.
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According to the station house officer (SHO) of the Baka Khel Police Station, a remote-controlled bomb exploded near the JUI-F stalwart’s convoy in Narmikhel area when he was on his way to Bannu after holding a political rally in Bakakhel area.
Durrani remained unhurt as his vehicle had already crossed the spot, police said, adding that the killed health department officials were identified as Ehsan and Arif.
The ambulance of the District Headquarters Hospital was destroyed and several other vehicles were damaged in the explosion. Security forces personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.
FR Bannu is adjacent to North Waziristan, where the Pakistan army launched an operation in June 2014 in a bid to wipe out militants who had previously been operating in the area with impunity. Eyewitnesses said the explosion was so powerful that it was heard far and wide.
The official said that soon after Durrani ended his speech he left the venue.
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Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolence to the families of victims. He has also condoled the death of his two guards in the attack.
