ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Monday visited the residence of senior journalist and TV anchor Hamid Mir in Islamabad and vowed to provide him effective and elaborate security.

Earlier, explosive material, detonator and battery packed in a bag and affixed beneath the vehicle of Mir, was found outside his house in the federal capital.

During his visit, the interior minister said that security personnel from police and FC are being provided to the journalist while a police inspector of his own choice will be also deputed for his security.

Malik also announced to constitute a fact-finding committee, including a magistrate, police officials and two journalists, which will probe the incident.

The minister prayed for Mir's long life and to save him from any trouble. He said there were some intelligence reports regarding a group of militants belonging to Miramshah, the main town of North Waziristan, to attack journalists.

“An inquiry has been ordered and a reward of Rs 50 million is announced for providing any clues regarding the attack on Hamid Mir,” said Malik.

Commenting on banning cellular services during Muharram, the minister said that blocking mobile phone services has been proved effective and no incident of terrorism occurred in Balochistan and Karachi.

While terming the journalists as “guardian of Pakistan,” he said that all possible cooperation will be made to secure their lives as they perform their duties in tough situations.

Hamid Mir, on the occasion thanked the minister for visiting him and asked him for immediate action against those elements targeting journalists in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi.

Mir also expressed his full confidence in Islamabad police and thanked its officials for quick response and defusing the explosives.