CTD seal KU bomber’s flat

DNA identification test of blast victims may take 10 days

KARACHI:

In the ongoing investigation into the suicide blast at Karachi University, Counter-terrorism Department police have traced and sealed the apartment of the suicide bomber, police investigators told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

Shari Hayat Baloch alias Barmash had rented the flat on the third floor of Gray Skyline Apartments in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 13 a few years ago, a police officer said requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Shari’s neighbours told the police that she did not meet or talk to any of the neighbours. Investigators found only essential items at the apartment devoid of any furniture, the police officer said adding, it was suspected that the woman left the flat for the suicide mission at the university.

Efforts are also being made to obtain footage from nearby close circuit cameras of Shari’s movement, sources said, adding that residents said the flat used to remain locked for several days. DNA tests The bodies of the victims of Karachi University van blast will not be handed over to their heirs for about 10 days, officials told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

The DNA samples have been sent from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) to Karachi University HEJ Forensic Laboratory for identification of the bodies, said JPMC Additional Police Surgeon Dr Samia, explaining that the process takes about 10 days. She said that the charred remains of the blast victims, as well as that of the bomber were transferred from Abbasi Shaheed Hospital to JPMC on 5pm, Tuesday at the suggestion of Sindh Health Secretary. To identify the bodies, 17 DNA samples were collected from Karachi University HEJ Forensic Laboratory and then at 10pm Tuesday, the bodies were shifted to Chippa morgue along with bags.

Karachi University HEJ Forensic Laboratory has received DNA samples of four persons on Wednesday. The reason for the delay in identifying the bodies is the unavailability of DNA samples from the families. However, the DNA of the Pakistani driver’s family is being obtained.

There are no DNA samples from the families of Chinese nationals. According to sources, efforts are being made to obtain DNA samples from items used by Chinese nationals. It is expected that toothbrushes, razors and other items were in used of Chinese nationals will be useful to obtain DNA. After the DNA samples are verified, the bodies will be handed over to the next of kin.

This process takes about 10 days. Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahu has said that it has not been confirmed as yet whether the female suicide bomber at the Confucius Institute was a student of Karachi University. An investigation is underway regarding this, he said. According to details, provincial minister Ismail Rahu visited the site of the incident yesterday and inquired about the investigation so far.

Talking to media persons after the visit, he said that foolproof security was provided to Chinese teachers at Karachi University. The movement of Chinese teachers was restricted from the institute to the guest house and from the guest house to the institute.

Lately, Chinese teachers were not even having their routine walk as they were issued a threat alert. He said that Karachi University had received an alert on which it had directed the Chinese teachers to restrict their movement. He said that four Rangers personnel were deployed for the security of Chinese teachers out of which two personnel were injured in the suicide attack. The provincial minister said it has not been verified as whether the female suicide bomber was a student of Karachi University.

Reesponding to a qustion Rahu said there are eight Chinese teachers in Karachi University and seven in NED University. Rahu said that 55 CCTV cameras are working in KU while the varsity's administration has requested for 200 cameras for which funds will be provided soon.

Case registered Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police have registered a case in connection with a suicide bombing took place near a Chinese language institute at Karachi University on complaint of Mubina Town police station SHO Sub-Inspector Basharat Hussain. Case No23 of 2022 has been registered under sections 302, 324, 427, 109/34 of the Explosives Act and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

According to the FIR, Zaid Baloch, a spokesman for the Majeed Brigade, a banned separatist terrorist organisation Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing on social media and named alleged suicide bomber as Shari Hayat Barmash.

SHO Hussain stated that Bashir Zeb, commander of banned BLA, and Rehman Gul, commander of the Majeed Brigade, and spokesman Zaid Baloch and other unidentified terrorists and facilitators spread terrorism by targeting a van of Chinese teachers in Karachi University with the help of a suicide bomber. As a result of the blast, four people, including three Chinese teachers were killed while Chinese teacher, Rangers personnel and security guards were injured.