Pakistan’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Bashir Wali Muhammad narrowly escaped a powerful Claymore mine attack in the capital on Monday but seven others were killed, said diplomats and police. The ambassador was driving through the area when the blast occurred, police said, adding that a military vehicle escorting him was hit by the explosion. “The ambassador is safe. He is unhurt,” Pakistan High Commission spokeswoman Suriya Jamal said.Four Sri Lankan army commandos guarding the diplomat were killed instantly as their white Land Rover Defender took the full force of the blast. Three bystanders also died, police and hospital officials said. Defence officials, asking not to be named, said the ambassador appeared to have been the target of the attack because there was no other VIP in the area at the time.
A visibly shaken Wali Muhammad appeared on Sri Lankan national television. “We have always supported Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and will continue to do so,” the ambassador said. In Islamabad, the Pakistan government strongly condemned the attack. “We strongly condemn it. We also regret the loss of precious lives,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz telephoned Wali Muhammad and enquired about his well-being.
Sri Lankan Media Minister Anura Yapa blamed the attack on the LTTE. India also condemned the attack. A government spokesman said that the assassination attempt was triggered by plans for Islamabad to ship new arms to Sri Lanka to battle Tamil rebels. “Tigers have targeted Wali because of the increased defence cooperation between the two countries,” Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters.