ISLAMABAD, Aug 21, Reuter: USS. Investigators on Sunday arrived at the site of the air crash in which President Mohammad ZiaulHaq died and Pakistani officials probing possible sabotage interrogated 80 detainees.
Official sources said authorities had listed the case as sabotage and were expected to charge a number of the detainees when investigations into Wednesday’s disaster are over.
Those held include Airport Security Staff and cargo handlers at Bahawalpur, in Eastern Pakistan, where Zia’s C130 Hercules aircraft took off before crashing in flames seven minutes later.
Police are investigating the possibility the disaster was caused by a bomb concealed among 20 crates of mangoes aboard at Bahawalpur. Witnesses said they saw an explosion before the Airplane plunged to earth, killing all 30 people aboard.
In a separate development, two people were killed and at least six injured in clashes sparked by Zia’s death.
An administration spokesman in North West Frontier province said two people were shot dead on Saturday in clashes between Sunni Moslems mourning Zia’s death and shi’ite opponents of the strongman who were celebrating it.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 26, 1988
