Rawalpindi Attack Death Toll Rises to 34

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan:  Rawalpindi Attack Death Toll Rises to 34, At least 34 people have been killed and 32 others wounded in the alleged suicide explosion in Rawalpindi Cantonment area, said spokesman Rescue 1122.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast.

According to reports, the blast occurred at 10:40 am outside door of bank near Shalimar Hotel killing and wounded several persons present in the area and damaged mangy buildings and vehicles.

The sources said there was long queue of persons outside the bank who were gathered to collect the salaries and pension when an alleged suicide bomber blew up himself.

RPO Aslam Tarin said suicide bomber was riding on a motorbike. Some body parts of bomber and a suicide jacket have been recovered from the blast site. A head is also found from the scene. Police have cordoned off the area as rescue operation is underway. Thirteen bodies were shifted to DHQ and 16 in different hospitals whereas three bodies transferred to military hospital, rescue 1122 sources said. Emergency has been imposed in the hospitals.