4 killed as gunmen raid top Pakistani official’s homeFebruary 18, 2013 - 12:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Four security guards were killed in the Pakistani city of Peshawar on Monday, February 18 after gunmen, wearing police uniforms, raided the compound of a senior government official, officials said, according to Reuters. Two explosions were heard, followed by gunfire at the compound of top political official Muttahirzeb Khan, where tribal officials and members of political parties had gathered to hold talks. Officials suspect the attackers were suicide bombers. It was not immediately known if they survived. "We were holding a meeting and some others were joining us when firing started inside the political compound, and then there was a heavy blast, and again heavy firing began," said tribal politician Niaz Ahmad Khan. "We were told by the officials to take shelter inside the office as the terrorists had attacked the political compound." He said he saw two bodies and some injured people lying on the ground inside the compound in the northwestern city. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. But the Pakistani Taliban have carried out similar operations. Militants have stepped up attacks across Pakistan just months ahead of a national election. On Saturday, 85 people, most of them Shi'ites, were killed in the southwestern city of Quetta in an attack blamed on Sunni militants. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. U.S. doesn’t see Russia as contributing to peace in Caucasus Patel made the remarks when asked about the implications of Russia’s withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh. Up to 1% cashback when shopping on Wildberries with IDBank cards IDBank is launching an exclusive campaign on Wildberries for online shopping enthusiasts. |