Low intensity blasts in Daharki scare patients

DAHARKI: Panic descended at the Parkash Clinic on Millat Road when three minor explosions occurred one after the other on Monday. The blasts were allegedly targeting a doctor, Manohar Lal, who was checking patients at his clinic at that time.

Unidentified men planted three time-bombs wrapped in plastic bags under the doctor’s table. The bombs exploded at brief intervals, engulfing the clinic in thick smoke. More than 10 people were injured in the resulting chaos. Shops across the city closed down after the incident and traffic remained low.

Once the smoke dissipated, residents went inside the clinic and retrieved the plastic bag from under the doctor’s table. The bag contained various materials used in explosives.

DCO Ghotki Azizullah Aqeeli surveyed the blast site afterwards with law enforcement officials. Police cordoned off the area, sealing all entry and exit points. Residents also detained a man they thought was ‘suspicious’ near the Daharki bus stop and handed him over to the DCO. The police have arrested the man, identified as Ayaz Khan Pathan, for interrogation. The arrested suspect hails from Kohat.

Daharki police are carrying out raids in different areas. Security has been put on high alert.

An hour later, DPO Saqib Ali Memon held a press conference at Millat Bazaar. According to him, the blasts were low intensity and had caused no casualties. The nature of the blasts can only be ascertained after the bomb disposal squad’s report. All evidence has been seized and investigation is underway, he added.

A case has been filed against unidentified persons at the Daharki police station.

Published in The Express Triune, August 24^th, 2010.