ISLAMABAD – A vehicle of Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission was todaytargeted by a motorcycle-borne attacker in a suicide blast in the northernPunjab province, killing at least two persons and wounding more than adozen others. The lone attacker first opened fire at the bus and laterdetonated himself near the vehicle when it slowed at a speed breaker inAttock district, police said.
“The driver and a passerby were killed while 13 people, mostly employees ofPakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), got injured in the attack,” hesaid. TV footage showed the driver’s side of the bus was badly damaged inthe bombing.
The security forces rushed to the scene and have cordoned off the area.They are ascertaining if the attacker had any accomplice, a police officialsaid. No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but Talibanmilitant have been involved in such targeted attacks in the past.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has condemned the attack. The PAEC isan independent public sector organisation concerned with research,development and promotion of nuclear science and technology.