Islamabad: The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the gunning down of the son of
a provincial minister, who was threatened by militants for criticising suicide attacks.
Mian Rashid Hussain, the only son of Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, was killed by militants in Nowshera district on Saturday.
After distancing themselves from the attack, the Pakistani Taliban later claimed responsibility.
Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq initially telephoned some reporters in Peshawar and expressed his regret over the killing of the minister's son.
Later, the Tehrik-e-Taliban's deputy spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan called some journalists and claimed responsibility for the murder.
Ahsan said Tariq was in a remote area and might not be aware of the development.
Ahsan said six men were sent to kill the minister's son and they had returned safely to their hideout.
Police have registered an FIR against three unidentified attackers on the basis of a statement made by Mian Amjad, the nephew of the minister who was injured in the attack.
Amjad said two of the attackers had beards and one was clean-shaven.
However, police have made little progress in their investigation into the murder.
Nowshera district police chief Nisar Tanoli said investigators were looking into the possible involvement of local people in the attack.
"We will issue the sketch of one of the attackers on the basis of a description given by (Mian Amjad)," Tanoli said.
Investigators have collected blood specimen and empty cartridges from the scene of the killing for forensic examination.
Mian Amjad told police that he and Rashid Hussain were out for a walk when they were attacked.
When the three attackers came near them, the clean-shaven one pointed at Rashid Hussain and said to his accomplices: "He is son of Mian Iftikhar."
Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain is a vocal critic of the Taliban. He has usually been the first person to visit the sites of attacks by the Taliban and has often made strong statements against the militants.
a provincial minister, who was threatened by militants for criticising suicide attacks.
Mian Rashid Hussain, the only son of Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, was killed by militants in Nowshera district on Saturday.
After distancing themselves from the attack, the Pakistani Taliban later claimed responsibility.
Later, the Tehrik-e-Taliban's deputy spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan called some journalists and claimed responsibility for the murder.
Advertisement
Ahsan said six men were sent to kill the minister's son and they had returned safely to their hideout.
Advertisement
Amjad said two of the attackers had beards and one was clean-shaven.
Advertisement
Nowshera district police chief Nisar Tanoli said investigators were looking into the possible involvement of local people in the attack.
Advertisement
Investigators have collected blood specimen and empty cartridges from the scene of the killing for forensic examination.
Advertisement
When the three attackers came near them, the clean-shaven one pointed at Rashid Hussain and said to his accomplices: "He is son of Mian Iftikhar."
Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain is a vocal critic of the Taliban. He has usually been the first person to visit the sites of attacks by the Taliban and has often made strong statements against the militants.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
UAE Possible Candidate To Host Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh Ask For More Time Sikh Woman, Minor Son Kidnapped By 2 In Pakistan Rescued: Cops "Toughest Bowler": Gautam Gambhir's Old Comment On Morne Morkel Viral After Team India Announcement Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death Delhi Experienced 15 Consecutive Days Of Rainfall, Says Weather Department Pilot Dies After Plane Crashes During Aerobatic Show In France "Vandals, Scandals Marring Civic Life In Bengal": Governor On Kolkata Rape Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.