Lahore: Suicide bomber assassinates Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi (Jamia Naeemia fame)

[Naveed Yaseen]

Taliban turn against religious scholars
* Naeemi among seven killed, five injured as bomber blows himself up in Jamia Naeemia after Friday prayers
* Young attacker posed as religious student and avoided police checks at the main gate

By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: At least seven people, including a prominent anti-Taliban cleric, were killed and five injured when a suicide attacker detonated himself at the Jamia Naeemia madrassa shortly after Friday prayers.

Targeting Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi, the head of Jamia Naeemia, the terrorist waited until the anti-Taliban cleric had reached his office before launching his attack. Six people were with Dr Naeemi in his office at the time. A madrassa student, Muhammad Faisal, said the bomber had pretended to be a student. He said Dr Naeemi was rushed to hospital, but did not survive. Following the blast, hundreds of outraged students gathered at the scene and demanded the Taliban leave Pakistan. The funeral prayers of Dr Naeemi would be offered at Nasir Bagh at 5pm on Saturday (today).

Dr Naeemi’s brother Muhammad Tajwar told AP the cleric had recently received death threats for condemning the Taliban, but had refused the offer of police protection. Inspector General of Police Tariq Saleem Dogar said Dr Naeemi had never asked for security, so the attack was not a security lapse. District Officer (Civil Defence) Mazhar Hussain said the attacker had used a 20-kilogramme suicide vest containing ball bearings and iron filings.

Police said the head and legs of the suicide bomber had been found and investigations were currently underway. They said the bomber was aged between 16 and 17, clean-shaven and had a fair complexion. Police also claimed to have arrested two suspected terrorists. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the bombing and expressed condolence with the families of the deceased. The government also directed the religious leaders of the country to exercise caution.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1