RAWALPINDI Pakistan, April 10, (Reuter): Pakistani President Mohammad ZiaulHaq asked his countrymen today to help the government find saboteurs after a car bomb blast killed 14 people and wounded more than 100.
The explosion last night in the Garrison town of Rawalpindi near Islamabad occurred in a busy bazaar about five km (three miles) from General Zia’s official home.
Talking to local reporters, during a visit to the injured in hospital today, Zia said people must face the calamity courageously and help locate the saboteurs in order to punish them”, official Pakistan television reported.
Hospital doctors had earlier put the number killed by the bomb at 12 but local government officials later said two more injured had died, raising the toll to 14.
Police said they believed 25 kg (55 pounds) of explosives with a time fuse were planted in a small van which blew up during the peak evening shopping time.
Witnesses said they saw a fireball rising high in the air with the blast which also cut power supplies, plunging the area into darkness as the victims shrieked for help.
Police said they had no clues.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1987
