BHAKKAR: Thirty people were killed and over 53 others injured, many of them critically, in a suicide blast that ripped through the residence of MNA Rasheed Akbar Khan Niwani in Bhakkar on Monday.

The Interior Ministry has confirmed the deaths of 20 people but put the number of injured at 35.

The MNA was among the injured. Some of the wounded are in serious condition, DSP Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said.

He said people were exchanging Eid greetings with the MNA at the time of the blast.

“It will be premature to say who is responsible for the attack,” the DSP said adding, evidence is being collected from the blast site which was cordoned off by the police.

The head of the suicide bomber has been found.

A suicide jacket was also found from the site of the blast while an Afghan currency note was found on the suicide attacker, a Geo News correspondent reported.

Saeed Akbar Niwani, brother of MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani has confirmed that the latter remained safe and only received minor bruises.

According to details, MNA Rasheed Akbar Niwani was exchanging Eid greetings with the people who gathered at his ‘Dera’ when a man with curly hair entered the place and tried to get close to the MNA but failed, as the place was jam-packed with people. He then detonated the explosives strapped on him which ripped his body into pieces and killed 30 others and injured 53.

The injured were brought to District Headquarter Hospital Bhakkar.

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has issued directives to the concerned authorities to immediately carry out investigation into the incident besides providing relief to the injured.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday condemned the suicide attack in strongest terms.

The Prime Minister has announced Rs300,000 for the heirs of the deceased and Rs100,000 each for the injured.

Enraged people blocked the D.I. Khan Road after the suicide attack.

No one has so far claimed responsibility of the attack, DSP Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said.