Eight people were killed and twenty four injured when two improvised explosive devices ripped through a quiet Bohri community centre in quick succession in the Hyderi area where just one month ago another bomb had been found and defused.
The first bomb, planted next to a tree and triggered by a remote-control device, went off at 7.30 pm behind Dolmen Centre, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) West Akram Naeem Bharoka.
The bomb was planted just a couple of hundred metres from the area’s Bohri Jamaat Khaana and people were returning from their prayers at the time of the first blast during rush hour. As people fled towards the middle of the street where food vendors, shops and flats are located, the second bomb planted in a motorcycle went off — causing the bulk of the casualties.
“This is where we eat, where we chat, where we meet at night. The bomb went off right next to an ice cream vendor and at that very time a young girl was buying an ice cream cone from there,” Mohammad Mustafa, a resident of the area told The Express Tribune.
According to the DIG, both explosive devices had approximately three kilogrammes of explosives in it and were filled with ball bearings.
“What is extraordinary is the high density of pellets used in these blasts. There were at least five to eight kilogrammes of pellets in each bomb, which is something we don’t usually see. It was a high-intensity blast,” Bharoka revealed.
The walls of the surrounding buildings were pockmarked from the pellets up to the third and fourth floors with some holes easily measuring four to five inches in diameter.
The motorbike that was used in the second blast had been traced by the police and belonged to Hanif, a resident of Lines Area. Police sources added that the bike had been stolen from its owner last month in Rizvia but authorities had failed to complete the FIR.
Most residents of the area – predominantly Bohris – were in shock. “These people keep to themselves and don’t have a conflict with anyone. They don’t say anything against Shias or Sunnis,” a resident told The Express Tribune. “But it is clear that they were targeting the community.”
DIG Bharoka confirmed that most of those dead and wounded belonged to the Bohri community and that “this was a clear case of them being targeted” but the officer did not provide any motive as to why this was the case.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah also took notice of the incident and sought a report from IG Sindh.
Bharoka said the blasts shared similarities, in structure of the bomb and the techniques used, to the explosion that took place near the Chinese Consulate in Clifton late July and said the two incidents might be linked.
Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the bomb blasts and expressed grief on the deaths and injuries caused. He termed the incident “a blatant act of terrorism”.
He said that terrorist elements wanted to create confusion in the country by giving way to uncertainty in Karachi. He offered condolences to the grieving families and demanded serious action against the perpetrators from the government.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered the formation of a joint committee to investigate the twin blasts. According to a press release, the committee would be led by the Karachi Police IG. Rangers and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) representatives will be part of it. Malik directed the FIA to send their teams to the locations and collect evidence.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2012.
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I can say with pride that India is the only country in the world where all the sects of Muslims co exist and live with peace, practicing their faith with out fear.
@Wajib: do leave INDIA out of all these ..and try to find the culprit within your own country
“I don’t understand why this has occurred. We are a peaceful community.”
@discriminated: being politically active is not a sin in fact it is a positive trait in any civilized nation but it is the bigoted minds like yourself who have made politics sound like a dirty game. and by the way even if it is a sin i think no sin is grave enough to deserve a punishment like that. It is true that communities are targeted due to various reasons but I
m sure every reader here is condemning the barbaric act and not trying to defend the bohra community but since they are good peopleLets Give The Devil His Due`. Who so ever the target maybe and whatever reason, it is a shameful act and do you think your cruel justifications are justified???"They don’t say anything against Shias or Sunnis,” a resident told The Express Tribune.
Are you kidding me?
My heart truely goes out to the victims, and their families. I personally feel that there is no justification for such a henious act committed against any living being regardless of colour or creed, but let's not exaggerate.
"They don’t say anything against Shias or Sunnis,” a resident told The Express Tribune.
Are you kidding me?
While there is no justification for such a henious act committed against any being regardless of colour or creed. My heart truely goes out to the victims, and their families but let's not exaggerate.
@YP Toronto almost all the peaceful and decent people in Pakistan are running for their dear life..
@ Discriminated: Having barriers and having roads closed is not an exceptional thing in Karachi. Most of the housing societies in Karachi, for the protection of their residents have barriers and checkpost. Such actions are as a result of the Government's tardiness to protect their own citizens. About the roads, why were the roads adjacent to the ex-nazim's house in North Nazimabad, paved and re-done in 3 months?
This is awful. Where does it all stop. Shameful.
First of all , it's not bohri it's Dawoodi Bohra , before you write an article make sure you have your facts straight.
Second of all it's not the bohri jamaat khana there , there is a huge dawoodi Bohra Masjid , where we all go for prayers. So do not classify our masjid as a jamaat khana because that's not what it is.
It is the responsibility of the media to know politically terminology apart from being grammatically correct , the terms being used are proper nouns that do not have alternatives.
I sincerely hope you make the reflected changes in the article and repost it again.
Thank you.
Pakistan is burning, figuratively and literally. Elements, both inside and outside that country are responsible. What the country needs now is martial law and severe restrictions on movement of people and goods. Many a times, freedom can lead to chaos if manhandled and misused by the bad elements. Time to change course pakistan or die!!! uve got too many enemies both inside and outside and a lack of strategy and will.
Discriminated: There are many shops owned by khojas and other community in that area, so your assumption about competition is ridiculous, obviously they are in majority there so most of the shops and businesses are owned by them.
Regarding gated community its because of the situation of law and order, government was unable to protect people and this is the case in most of the localities of Karachi where barriers are constructed.
Bohras and Agha Khanis are mainly to themselves and there's nothing wrong with it, they are not harming others atleast!
@ Discriminated.. Your comments are pathetic and utterly shameful.. And I am not a Bohri..
Again reminds us of Martin Niemoller's famous saying. No one is safe till all are safe. This has hit at the heart of the Bohra community. Fakhru should ensure all sects, religions are fairly represented in elections and they are fair and impartial, now that the reality has hit home.
A Muslim can never target another Muslim, no matter how weak his faith. If only we investigate these attacks we can easily get india declared a state sponsor of terrorism.
Totally disagreed with discriminated, their areas are well mannered because they are devoted for their own welfare. I know this doesn't make any difference, but my sympathies are with them. I know some of them from my childhood school and pray for their safety.
in response to the Discriminated One:
So for blocking the roads and keeping themselves to themselves a community needs to be bashed up or better still BLASTED!!! what an outrageously atrocious remark!!!! As for the resentment ..... this is exactly what this country has become a burning, smoldering cauldron of resentment, envy, hatred and intolerance.
There are no political affliations whatsoever. you need to get your facts correct! As far as the barriers are concerned why dont u object to the barriers erected around the entire city....... the entire country. u must take a look at the constitution Avenue in Islamabad where the very people who have voted the high and mighty to power are not even allowed to venture near.... Talk about security
@jiwcds@gmail.com:
Do not blame India when you cannot control fanatics. Majority of Bohras in the world live in india . They coexist and live with the rest of their compatriots peacefully in india.
I come from Nagpur, a city with large bohri community. Bohris are wonderful people and doing extremely well in trade and business. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have suffered this tragic blow.
A peaceful community suffers a great loss ! The city cries over this incident. My relatives (non bohris) died in the blast too. Bohris are definately educated, civilized and have contributed a lot towards the development of the city. Whenever I use to go to Hyderi (the place of incident). I always felt that this is the city of lights. Shameful act. Government should resign, if they cant protect us.
I am sorry to say this , but this proves the innocence of muslims.
@Discriminated, are you trying to justify the blasts by saying all these what you said?? Do you think WE have done something wrong by blocking roads for our safety where 99% residents belongs to our community?
It is really painful incident with the Bohri community! they are decent, loyal and civilized community in Pakistan. my offer my condolence and sympathy is with late people May Allah keep their souls in peace! Ameen
The bohri community does business with its own people and never allows any sort of competition to flourish in the area alienating themselves from the general community. They have blocked the major roads with barriers for security which create problems for the Others since they have also blocked some important roads adjacent to Kda roundabout. Government has built all the roads in the bohri area in hyderi on priority while the rest of the roads remain broken. Due to their close association with the MQM and PPP, bohri community has also sided themselves politically. There is a general resentment against their biased attitude in the entire neighborhood.
Does any body in Pakistan find this to be a depressing situation? How can you live like this?
I know many Bohries, these are decent and peaceful people. Pl. accept our heartfelt condolences .
Karachi is bleeding!!!!!!the city shares 67 percent of the revenue for the country has no security for the people of Karachi
Ethnic and religious cleansing is at its peak in Pakistan, the government is busy protecting its president and making it sure they win the next election, the judiciary keeps on releasing these elements for lac of evidence, the armed forces are busy fighting the war in FATA, the country for sure is heading at a fast pace towards anarchy and destruction.. Now the most peaceful community the Bohris are the target. where will it end ?
We cannot let Indian special agents keep performing these terrorist acts and do nothing. They need to know we will not this.
Extremely tragic. Bohri community forms an educated, contributing and pacifist stratum of society. My heart bleeds at what is happening to Karachi. I have known and shopped in the area where the bomb went off. Condolences with the families of the deceased, may Allah give them sabr-e jameel. I don’t know how many people they want dead before policing can be handed over to the residents of Karachi, who have one and only one permanent address and that is located in Karachi and nowhere else. The city can only be managed by those who live in the city and get buried in the city of Karachi.
Let me with disappointment add : why has MQM, PPP, PML-N. PTI, JI not condemned this sad incidence. Makes me wonder.............
It was a remote controlled bomb....They saw the 10 year old girl buying an ice cream cone.. and detonated the device..
Peaceful Bhori Shia community has been targeted in largest city of the country..This is shameful.The state has failed to provide security.It has no right to govern
Somebody wrote a couple of days before in a article about the visit of Bohris Spiritual Leader to KHI that Bohris are the most peaceful community after Ahmadies,
What do you think "They who caused this" like you or anyone else to remain in PEACE ?
That's an unlawful state my friends, protect yourself or "expect more" !
Bohri community is one of the most civilized and peace loving communities in Pakistan. They are the most disciplined and organized people here, they are never part of any political or religious controversy and most of can and should try to learn a thing or two from these people. I've hreat admiration, respect and love for the Bohri community here and I wish to register my sympathy and solidarity with them as well as I wish to apologies for this sad incident and condemn this.