ANP MPA killed in suicide attack

Awami National Party (ANP) member of the NWFP Assembly Dr Shamsher Ali Khan was killed and 11 others injured when a suicide bomber struck the Hujra of the legislator in village Dheri of Tehsil Kabal in district Swat on Tuesday. A critically injured Dr Shamsher Ali Khan was immediately rushed to Saidu Sharif hospital for treatment, but he succumbed to his wounds.
Among the 11 injured were Shaukat Ali Khan and Mohammad Ali Khan, the two brothers of the late MPA. According to reports, Dr Shamsher Ali Khan was exchanging Eid greetings with his electorates when the bomber came in a flash and ripped through the Hujra, killing the legislator and injuring 11 others.
The provincial government has announced one-day official mourning over the incident, while the ANP would observe three-day mourning. According to District Police Officer (DPO) of Swat Qazi Farooq Ahmad, a suicide bomber aged between 18 to 20 years used eight to 10-kilogram explosive material. His legs and other parts had been found, he said.
The supporters of the MPA thronged the hospital to inquire about his health where they chanted slogans against the killers, and demanded arrest of the perpetrators. Others injured were identified as Sadique Akbar, Muhammad Shah, Rehmani Gul, Amjad, Siraj Khan, Mehar Shah, Suhjat Ali Khan and Rozi Mand.
Born at the residence of Abdur Rashid Khan at village Dheri in 1950, Dr Shamsher was elected MPA from PF-83 Swat-IV in the February, 18 2008 elections. The House of late Dr Shamsher had been blown up by militants during unrest in Swat. He left behind his wife and two daughters.
The ANP had lost its second legislature in the recent wave of terrorism as in the previous attack, the ANP MPA Alamzaib Khan from Peshawar was martyred in the suicide attack when he was inspecting developmental works in his constituency. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti have strongly condemned the suicide attack at the Hujra of Dr Shamsher Ali at Kabal, and expressed their deep shock and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.