One killed, five injured in Karachi blast targeting police commandos

According to initial reports, the target of the blast was a police truck, but no policeman was hurt in the attack

KARACHI:

The owner of an auto-parts shop was killed and five others were wounded, including a mother and her ten-year-old daughter, when a remote controlled bomb targeting police commandos went off near Korangi Crossing, Karachi on Tuesday evening.

Police officials said that the bomb went off just as a truck carrying at least 35 commandos of the Special Protection Group (SPG) was returning to headquarters from duty at Bilawal House. However, the police commandos remained unhurt in the attack.

“A motorcycle-borne improvised explosive device (MBIED) exploded,” said DSP Rao Iqbal while inspecting the blast site.

The blast took place on the Ibrahim Hyderi Road near Korangi Crossing, a routine route for police commandos which terrorists had taken advantage of. “The commandos were on their way to their base at Ibrahim Hyderi. They were returning after completing their duties at Bilawal House,” said SPG official DSP Ziauddin, adding that “Some shots were also fired but fortunately all of our men remained safe.”

The blast partially damaged their truck, while a CNG rickshaw passing by was completely destroyed. Rescue workers rushed the victims to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

According to hospital sources, one man was killed while five others, namely Amin a 30-year old rickshaw driver, Zainab, 50, wife of Anwar, Zareen, 21, daughter of Munawar, Ayesha, 50, wife of Yousuf and her ten-year-old daughter, namely Rozina who were travelling passing by in a rickshaw were wounded.

The deceased was later identified as Habib, 35, son of Abdul Hameed. He was sitting at his auto-parts’ shop when pellets from the bomb struck him.

A large contingent of law enforcement agencies and members of the Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the site following the explosion to collect evidence and determine the nature of the blast. According to BDS officials the bomb was planted on a motorcycle which was parked along with the footpath, adding that it was detonated with the help of a remote control.

Officials said that Tuesday’s blast was another in a long list of attacks targeting law enforcement agencies in Karachi this year.