Prominent Islamic scholar and Principal of Jamia Naeemia Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi, who is also known for having close association with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, and three others were killed in a suicide attack here on Friday.
Panic gripped the citizens immediately after the death of Mufti Naeemi, reported on the electronic media, and the students of Jamia Naeemia spread out to the Grand Trunk (GT) Road and protested against the brutal killing of a moderate and peace loving Islamic scholar.
They also attacked the police force encircling the Jamia Naeemia after the killing of Mufti Naeemi. It is worth mentioning here that Mufti Naeemi was a strong critic of the suicide attacks and he was receiving serious threats from anonymous killers over the last few days.
The suicide bomber, as described by the Inspector General Police Lahore, blew himself up in front of Mufti Naeemi, who had returned to his chamber after leading the Friday prayers at the Jamia Naeemia. According to details, Dr Sarfraz Naeemi was present at his office when the suicide bomber blew him-self up after the Juma prayers at 2.42 pm.
The blast was so powerful that the outer walls of the Jamia Naeemia Masjid were damaged and the nearby buildings were also hit. The injured Maulana Naeemi was rushed to the hospital; however, he succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Those injured were identified as Ismail, Muhammad Nawaz, Mulana Abdul Majeed, Rashid Abdur Rehman and Hafiz Akmal. Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman, organiser of the Jamia was also among those who were killed in the terror attack. Law enforcing agencies cordoned off the area and started relief operation. They also searched adjacent buildings to prevent another blast.
The infuriated students of Jamia Naeemia held a demonstration outside the Naeemia against the killing of Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi and blocked the road with burnt tyres. The angry protesters raised slogans against the suicide blast at Jamia Naeemia.
Scuffle erupted between students of Jamia Naeemia and police after the killing of renowned religious scholar Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi. The students chanted slogans and expelled the police from the premises of Jamia. The city administration called the Rangers to contain the aggravating situation in the locality and the entire city.
Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Tariq Saleem Dogar talking to media persons said the security was provided to Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi, however, the bomber succeeded in blowing himself up. The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Muhammad Pervez Rathor said the blast occurred at 0255pm. Pervez said the blast occurred after the Friday prayers.
The CCPO said the security was provided for the Friday prayers; however, no security was provided to the religious scholar Dr Naeemi. He confirmed it was suicide attack. Police have arrested at least two people near Jamia Naeemia, sources said Friday. A high level committee has been constituted including Additional IG CID, DIG (Investigation) and others high officials.
The Bomb Disposal Squad said at least 12 kilograms of explosives was used in the blast which created a four feet deep and ten feet wide crater. DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta said that proper security was provided to Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi.
He said the attack on Dr Sarfraz was an incident of target-killing. The sources said Dr Sarfaraz was receiving threats from the miscreants, as he was great advocate of Swat operation. Also, the religious scholar had termed the Taliban terrorists. He also gave fatwa that the suicide attacks are haram in Islam.
PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif have condemned the Lahore blast. President Asif Ali Zardari said that Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi adopted a courageous line against the extremists. He paid great homage to the martyred scholar.
President Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Sahibzada Fazal Kareem said the government should provide security to the ulema and religious scholars. He said the extremists dread the Pakistan-loving scholars. Namaz-e-Jinaza of Sarfraz Naeemi will be offered tomorrow at 10 am in Jamia Naeemia and he would also be buried in the Jamia.