“It was a remote-controlled roadside bomb blast,” police spokesman Fazal Naeem told AFP by telephone. — Photo by Reuters

KOHAT Former provincial irrigation minister Ghani-ur-Rehman and his cousin were killed when an improvised explosive device, believed to have been planted by militants, went off on the Bagato road in Hangu district on Sunday.

Mashkoor, the former minister's cousin died on the spot. Mr Rehman died while he was being taken to hospital.

Two personnel of the Frontier Constabulary, Mohammad Shah and Jan Mohammad, who were accompanying the former minister in his vehicle, were injured in the attack carried out by a remote-control device.

One of them was taken to Islamabad and the other to the Kohat CMH with bone and head injuries.

Initial investigations revealed that the terrorists had planted 50kgs of explosives under a small bridge on the road frequently used by Mr Rehman.

Rescuers used metal cutters to pull out the dead and the injured from the mangled remains of the vehicle.

Eyewitnesses said the blast was so powerful that the vehicle was thrown in the air and it landed in a nearby field. The explosion created an eight feet wide and nine feet deep crater.

Kohat DIG Abdullah Khan said it was a clear case of target killing. He said that a five-member police team headed by an SP had been formed to trace the culprits.

A team from Peshawar will come here on Monday to collect evidence and investigate the case.

He said that Mr Rehman had been provided VVIP security because of the threats he faced.

The former minister held the portfolio of irrigation minister in the government of Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao from 1994 to 96.