Probe reveals airport bomber's movements

Investigators club footages of various CCTV cameras

KARACHI:

The investigation into the suicide terrorist attack on a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals outside the Jinnah International Terminal on October 6 has yielded important details on the movements and activities of the bomber, Shah Fahad, in the days leading up to the deadly blast.

Two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen had died, while 21 others sustained injuries in the attack.

On Oct 4, Fahad crossed the Hub Toll Plaza, accompanied by a woman, around 5pm. The pair checked into a hotel in Saddar at 10.33pm, according to the investigation.

The next day, at 10.57am, Fahad left the hotel and headed toward Saddar, driving past the Sony Centre and Rainbow Centre around 11.20am. He was observed at the DHA, Phase 1 signal at 2.22pm. His route then took him through Korangi and DHA's Khayaban-e-Ittihad, eventually reaching the vicinity of airport. At 6.29pm, Fahad was seen near Zainab Market, before returning to his hotel at 6.31pm.

On Oct 6, the bomber checked out of his hotel at 12.19pm. Surveillance footage shows him traveling through key locations in Karachi, including Sharea Faisal, Paradise Hotel, Atrium Mall, and Awari Towers. He was also seen near the State Guest House, Bagh-e-Jinnah, and Fayyaz Centre along Sharea Faisal around 4.20pm. In the late afternoon, Fahad was observed outside the Harmain Sharifain Hotel in Bahadurabad.

By 9.30pm, the bomber arrived at the airport, where his accomplice entered the terminal on foot. CCTV footage captured the facilitator - wearing a shirt and pants - standing at the airport, awaiting the arrival of Chinese nationals.

As the Chinese convoy neared the airport, the bomber's accomplice made a phone call to Fahad, signalling that the convoy was approaching. Moments later, Fahad detonated the bomb, targeting the convoy near the airport signal. The explosion, which was captured on CCTV, resulted in multiple casualties.

The details of this investigation point to a meticulously planned operation, with the bomber and his accomplice coordinating their movements across the city in the days leading up to the attack. Further investigation is ongoing to track down other potential accomplices and identify the networks behind this terrorist act.