Taliban claim responsibility for suicide attack on Rangers in Karachi
“An explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the residential area of the complex and hit its wall. A total of 21 Rangers have been injured in the attack this morning,” a Rangers spokesperson told AFP.
The deceased Rangers personnel were identified as Lance Naik Khalid Mahmood, Sepoy Abdul Razzaq and Sepoy Imran Wali.
A spokesperson for a prominent faction of the Pakistani Taliban, headed by insurgent Mullah Fazlullah, claimed responsibility.
Sirajuddin Ahmad, speaking by telephone, said the attack was "revenge for the arrest, torture and killing of our people" by security forces in the region.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan also confirmed that the attack was carried out by the TTP and said that such attacks will continue in the future because the Rangers “harass” their men in Karachi.
IG Sindh Fayyaz Leghari confirmed that it was a suicide blast. He added that a mini truck had been used in the attack.
According to Express News, initial investigations into the blast have emerged which suggest that Ataur Rehman’s (alias Naeem Bukhari) group of TTP is involved in the attack.
Ataur Rehman, who lived in the Paposh area of Karachi, has carried out attacks on Rangers in the past as well.
DIG West Javed Odho as saying that around 150kg of explosives were used in the blast.
According to Express News correspondent Wasiq Muhammad, the powerful explosion destroyed the vehicle and severely damaged the building's two storied structure, a section of which has collapsed. Parts of the building had caught fire, which the fire brigade put out.
He added that the dead and injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital. Of the injured, five were civilians and the rest were Rangers personnel.
Muhammad added that most of those injured were in critical condition and are being given medical treatment. He added that doctors had removed ball bearings in addition to metal fragments from some of the injured.
One of the injured Rangers' personnel Mohammad Farooq narrated that the security personnel had just sat down after offering their morning prayers at around 6:30 am when the explosion took place.
Another Rangers personnel Anwar while talking to Express News said that as he was getting ready for the duty, he saw that a mini truck came crashing inside the headquarters’ vicinity and rammed into a tree nearby and exploded.
Emergency services have reached the spot and are conducting a rescue operation. The area has been cordoned off by security officials.
A suspicious person was also reportedly arrested from the immediate vicinity of the Rangers headquarters soon after the blast.
The blast was powerful enough to be heard for miles around and a big mushroom cloud rose high into the sky.
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@Umer: For the uninitiated some clarity on good talibsn and bad. And Pakistan's dilemma our war or USA's see link below http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta3/tft/article.php?issue=20121109&page=2
TTP = CIA / Black water / leader in london
TTP has no link with talibans ,they are CIA sponsored terrorist ..who have done this sort of work in iraq ,syria,iran and many places...don't be fooled by statements of leaders sitting in queens island
TTP is the pseudo name used by CIA/blackwater...
@Saad:you are forgeting MOSAD CIA MI6 afgan got knows what ever they are called just don't blame pakistani forces if Rangers can't protect them self WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR YOU & rest of Karachi??
This is the stupidest thing in the world. why? its the governments responsibility to safe guard national interests. If they find drones unacceptable they are responsible for gunning them down. Just like if an indian aircraft enters our aircraft, under airspace law we can shoot it down (after warning it). Its time our government stopped playign the double game, they are respoinsible for these things not the US. Everyone is selfish and has their own self interests, we are responsible for guarding our own interests, we cant expect anyone else to. As far as my friends who are calling Taliban friends of IK, i ask them what option do we have but peace talks? We have been critisizing IK for making this statement, but at this point in time we need to stop our double game(which clearly we are incapable of) and do something about the situation. If anyone has any alternative solution other than peace talks lets hear it Clearly we are losing out here, incase people didnt notice this is OUR war and we’re not winning. Simple analysis shows that its easier for these fanatics to attack us since they have nothing to lose – but we do! In light of my above arguments i would love to see a response!
@Yuri Kondratyuk:
come on stop blaming drones .. drones started because of the terrorists were there and people over there are protecting talibans. and Talibans were never good for anyone . so stop blaming anyone else but those morons who are doing all that , in the name of islam against muslims. If it is because of drons then they should start attack on america rather than Pakistan and Pakistani citizens
@Saad: for the love of God , stop blaming everyone else . Taliban has taken responsibility and they are doing such activities , way too long to ignore . I don't know , from where you get the idea that it is indian issue.
till the people like yourself don't wake up from your deep sleep we wouldn't be albe to solve this issue which is our own
@Sharjeel Jawaid: If the 21 injured rangers survive, what kind of permanent damage will they carry for the rest of their lives ? But, TTP are brothers of PTI, and PTI will someday talk to them as soon as they can muster enough courage to go to North Waziristan.
Till then, some rangers, soldiers from FC and Pakistan army men can continue to die and lose their limbs. They are not dying for their country mind you, they are dying cause PTI and TTP are brothers.
One has to first find the will to do what must be done. Once this is found a way will automatically follow.
feel very sad abt the dead and the injured. May Allah give their families sabr and strenght. And why is it again always the ttp who are giving the guilt, forget what ttp spokesperson says. we can not verify anyway if the spokesperson has said it or not. Our security should shift from the politicians(the robbers) to the public.
Now Rangers should take their Responbility and Finish these Rats from Karachi... Clean every nook and corner from these RATS hiding in Rat holes and hurting Pakistan everyday, funded by Raw
TTP is controlled and funded by Enemies of Pakistan... Simple.
What will takes us to declare war on TTP.? A consensus perhaps!
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims. We hope that their loved ones will find the strength to deal with this tragedy. These three soldiers killed were someone’s son, husband father or brother. These killings affect scores of families, not just a few individuals, but do the terrorists care? No, their only agenda is evil; to kill and destroy and they keep pushing this evil agenda everyday from small towns to big cities. We have to stand united against these terrorists to defeat them. We cannot allow incidents like these deter us from restoring peace and stability to the region.
Capt. Joseph Kreidel DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
@Zubair: don't you understand yet, if you don't share the rigid beliefs of the Taliban, they consider you to be an infidel who deserves death, no matter that you call yourself a Muslim. In their eyes, it's "my way or the cemetary." But keep telling them they're not really Muslims, no Muslims would ever do this, etc. I'm sure in maybe a hundred years or so you might convince one of them.
ALLAH BLESS PAKISTAN AND THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN
God bless Pakistan & the people of Pakistan
Khalid said the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan was united and strong and operating under the leadership of Hakeemullah Mehsud. Khalid outlined five "important goals" of the Taliban: overthrow the Pakistani institutions; release both Pakistani and "foreign" fighters; impose sharia law; obtain a nuclear weapon; and establish a global caliphate.
@Pashtun Khan
TTP should start targeting the puppet masters and the real culprits in Punjab as well. It is funny how everything under the sun gets blamed on Pashtuns and yet at the same time all retired Pak Army personnel that write op-ed pieces project themselves as saviors of Pashtun people. Smoke and mirrors, obfuscation, subterfuge, all and sundry used to muddy the waters. Only in Pakistan.
@Hassan:
It means exactly what it says Failure of Intelligence community to pick up information prior to the actual occurrence of the incident.
Is it not the very reason for the existence of the agencies to actually defuse and capture terrorists before they make an attack? Why then should they not be criticised when the fail to fulfil their mandate?
I ask the same question 100th times, how TTP claimed? They claimed by speaking phone WITH WHOME ? Why can't their phones be trapped ? Who are at the receiving end of that ever mysterious phone ?
Imran Khan Or Munawar Hasaan K Rishtedaron Ne Rangers HQ Par Hamla Kar Deya ....
Go To Hell Taliban We Want Jinnah's Pakistan
It's beyond me why educated PTI supporters still delude themselves into thinking that negotiation with these subhumans is a legitimate option. I hope that the MQM takes a hard stance on this, they're the only ones with the muscle power (however misused it may be) to keep this menace under check.
@Jewcifer: "The photo is great, captures autumn very well."
Quite prophetic, winter is closing in...
So Sad...many lives lost!
wish TTP also go to punjab just like KPK and FATA pashtuns r being destroyed
@Omair Shahid: I fully agree with you. People are blaming IK for blasts like these because, he says we should talk with words not guns. IK`s quite right that this is not our war & all these blasts happen because we align with enemies and fight muslims. It was the Army who invited drones, attacked Lal Masjid, & rented themselves to the enemies.
This is why Army has no sympathy nor there are any protests when they are attacked. You see people coming out against any form Blasphemy (youtube video`s or other blasphemous incidents), but not once when Army took hit from Taliban.
The photo is great, captures autumn very well.
Someone please share this news with Aftab Sherpao who claims that there are no Taliban present in Karachi. This is the height of ignorance.
Why so huge budget is allocated for the uniformed men? especially the higher echeleons. They cannot protect themselves what i sthe point of keeping them in the cities. CJ rightly instructed to send them back to the boders. May the departed souls rest in peace. aameen.
@ALI: "whatever happend to pakistan,we the people of pakistan shall support the kashmir freedom struggle and peaceloving people like saeed of LET,JAISH-MOHAMMED ETC."
Yes whatever happens... continue on the same path... make the same arguments... use the same cheap tricks which you consider to be your strategy...
Hope Pakistanis read the real meaning in your post, although I have my doubts.
who else if not TTP ?
whatever happend to pakistan,we the people of pakistan shall support the kashmir freedom struggle and peaceloving people like saeed of LET,JAISH-MOHAMMED ETC.
Military has stopped all operations against TTP as all militancy affected areas have been claimed to be cleared of the militants by it. But the fact of the matter is that militants are still active and killing people in so called safe areas and have also sneaked into Karachi in thousands without being detected by the intelligence agencies therefore more attacks in the city cannot be ruled out. There is a distinct possibility of TTP militants spreading out to other major cities to carry out attacks on both civil and military targets. Bad times for Pakistan ahead since the military who should be fighting them looks totally disinterested but are busy in fighting cases against media for maligning its good image and issuing statements against the judiciary as well.
@Aijaz Haider: how many times would you say tha same sir! Wake up and do something!
Most of our judges in the judiciary are right-wingers and have sympathies with terrorists. They humiliate security forces in the courts. According to official statistics, less than 1 percent of terror suspects are successfully prosecuted in our courts. Judges don't admit testimonies offered by security officials against terrorists in the courts. They don't accept technical evidence (mobile phone data etc) as sufficient to prosecute terrorists. Their only objective is to set free as many terrorists as possible. Many observers wrongly point out that tragic incidents, like the suicide blast in Karachi at Pak Rangers, occur because of intelligence failure. Rather, I would like to say that terrorism in pakistan occur largely because of "judicial failure".
@salim:
The first such warning on Talibanisation of Karachi was given by Altaf Husain of MQM more than 3 yrs ago,then all had a laugh & ANP was vocal that MQM does not want anyother people from other region to come & settle in Karachi....I am no supporter of MQM , but they were right...why no such incidence or present killings not happening before 4.5 yrs during Gen M period ? any taker ? this country only need one ruler & stick....either you have peace with presidential rule or present sham democracy......
"Pakistan converting threats into opportunities, says PM" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And the Taliban converting opportunities, into bombings.
very bad and these killings are very sad to hear and watch every day http://www.honeyclub.pk/?p=760
@SHADI: we have been fighting this war for almost eight years now what good has it done instead have damaged pakistan .american army are having talks with Taliban after fighting with them for almost 11 years now. i'm not supporting taliban but think about it.
@intelligence failure All those saying its an intelligence failure. What exactly does it mean by intelligence failure?
You forget all those incidents where intelligence agencies actually defuse and capture terrorists before they make an attack. And you always point out some events that actually take place.
When two groups are fighting, there is always loss at both sides. These soldiers give their lives to protect us. May Allah accept their Martyerdom
@SHADI: Well said !
Not being racist in anyway but best strategy to counter these goons is like areas all known to everyone of terror hotbeds of these goons at city outskirts be closed all around there parameters. Only one entry and exit point in these areas where to and fro traffic is controlled while govt spending cash on building huge walls around their parameters vicinity. Close them make their place a concentration camp. Because of few thousands -- millions in this city should not suffer. If the people who come far off have no decency to stay here in peace then walled enclaves should be made cutting them off from cities. The israelis putting up huge walls around occupied territories have almost finished terrorism in their borders.
@iamrand khan: Don't worry Imran Khan will come and talk to Taliban, they are his brothers. We must stop drones in Karachi.
It is an intelligence failure. Government should immediately reinforce civil and military intelligence in Karachi otherwise more of such incidents may happen in future.
@ Liberal, buddy just because I bash Imran Khan for his policy does not mean I support zardari, PPP is undoubtably in-competent and corrupt but the policies Imran Khan has are the same that got us in this mess, the same policies Zia had. Trust me I was very excited to see a third party like PTI come in and I was super excited to see how successful his jalsa in Lahore was, but over time my opinion of him has changed all due to his backing of these extremist elements, who when not fighting India in Kashmir or America in Afghanistan are busy wipping off girls schools and minorities in our country. Dont worry about my life, you need to grow up and get some sense, perhaps develop an opinion of your own and not jump on to every social networking bandwagon.
This government has failed in everything
@SHADI: and what imran khan have to do with the blast .. Zardari apologists like you have nothing else to do but blame imran khan for everything .. is he in power at the moment? is he negotiating with them rite now? .. get some life Mr Shadi ... and all zardari apologist hiding behind Imran khan as excuse of lawlessness in the country ..
Efficacy and deterrent value of Rangers/FC/Police/others seems to have been adversly affected by various hearings by the CJ/SC . That's why increasing lawlessness in the country and attacks on them. Until these environments are changed deterioration can continue.
Only Jinnah’s US-Canada model for India-Pakistan can save Pakistan. Pakistanis, get out of your death wish, think about the future for your children.
@Amitabh Bachchan: And the free judiciary would let them go.
My friend living in the vicinity says rangers building is completely destroyed and it possible 100s have died.
@ Mazhar
when?? before the attack or right after the attack??
i guess TTP is becoming efficient in accepting the responsibility. Atleast, someone is doing its job with responsibility.
Beirut of Indian subcontinent.
Whenever i open Pakistan news paper i see at least 1 Bomb last news.. Its really sad to hear this type of news.. :( :(
I feel pity for it.. :(
The source of encouragement of terrorists are:- 1. Favorable decisions in the courts. 2. Section oof Lawyers support. 3. Section of Media support, 4. Religious parties support. 5. Civil Society cowed. 6. Technilogical support from Foreign Mobile Communication Companies.
May the departed souls of rangers officers rest in peace. killing of single Muslim is equal to killing of whole humanity; do so called Taliban know this? To be honest, I do not know what is going on in our beloved country. We can ONLY change these mind sets by increasing literacy and progress.
So there is no doubt that Taliban have infiltrated the city in large numbers! Moharram is critical.
@shihab hamza:
:(
what is happening in pak i am fed up may allah and pti and great imran will save pakistan
@Saad: 1 month a long time?? perhaps for pakistan but otherwise its a very short time for a terror attack.......
Beginning to be more and more like Iraq, Syria.
When will peace return to our beloved city ?
RIP...
I've been saying for so long....no need to go home-to-home for illegal weapons etc. Just seal the two or three routes entering into Karachi..
Now Rangers should start doing what they should have been since last 5 yrs Catch Taliban and all their weapons cache all around Karachi
Were these good Taliban or bad Taliban? Any chance of action against them?
It is unfortunate that such an incident took place which killed two Rangers Officials and injured 14 according to this report.
The law enforcement agencies should be extra vigilant as number of foreigners are in the city due to an exhibition.
It is the duty of all SHO's of Karachi to depute police officials for 24 hours patrolling within the limits of their respective Police Stations.
I was just about to type how, "imran khan wants to have peace talks with such people" but then I realized..no point, PTI trolls are as extremist about their opinion as these people blowing buildings up, they aren't ready to debate over anything or for even 1 MICRO SECOND think they might be wrong.
Innalillahewainnailaiherajeoon. May Allah bless the officers and give there families sabr-e-jameel. May Allah give gudiance to the strayed.
Heard the blast....it was a huge blast! everything was shaken
Allah, when will this stop ,People kills and dies in the name of god, not devil If this continues pakistan will shatter ,
India and RAW involved in it, blast in Karachi after long time. These terrorist want to sabotage the IDEAS exhibition.
Not our war..Is it folks ?
Innalillahewainnailaiherajeoon. Pray the dead RIP and those injured recover soon. Ameen.
TTP accepted responsibility of the blast