Election violence in Karachi: MQM targeted again
3 killed, 30 injured in attack near MQM office; TTP claims responsibility.
MQM hoardings damaged by the blasts in Azizabad. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
QUETTA/PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/KALAYA/MARDAN:
At least three people were killed and 30 injured in back to back blasts near the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s ‘Nine Zero’ headquarters in Karachi.
The first blast occurred around 8:55pm outside a park opposite an MQM unit office/election cell near the party’s headquarters. After the explosion, in which eight people were reportedly injured, police, Rangers, paramedics, party workers and other bystanders immediately gathered at the site to help the injured.
That’s when the second blast, more devastating than the first, took place. It seems clear that this second blast was meant to inflict maximum casualties and target rescuers.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Zafar Bukhari confirmed that at least three people were killed and 30 others, including four policemen, two Rangers personnel and two media persons, were injured in the two blasts The injured reportedly included MQM Karachi Tanzeemi Committee member Tarawish.
Police surgeon Dr Jalil Qadir added that they were still receiving reports of more casualties. According to Dr Qadir, seven of those injured in the blast were in critical condition because of a shrapnel used in the bombs, with most of the victims receiving wounds to the torso.
Most of the injured were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Some others were admitted in the Aga Khan Hospital and the Sindh Government Hospital in Liaquatabad.
According to bomb disposal squad (BDS) officials, the explosive devices used in the two blasts both weighed around a kilogramme and utilised nuts, bolts and ball bearings. They said part of a cell phone casing was found at the site where the bomb used in the first blast had been planted, suggesting a cell phone trigger had been used in the device. They suspected the second device used a cell phone trigger as well, although no evidence for that had been found so far.
BDS officials maintained both bombs had been buried by the roadside, saying that evidence suggested that the second bomb was embedded in a cement block. The BDS officials did not know, however, as to what sort of container was used for the first bomb.
Talking to The Express Tribune, DIG Zafar Bukhari said the first blast intended to draw out people towards the site for the second one. According to him, the nine election-related blasts that have occurred in Karachi so far seem to suggest that the attacks focus less on killing and rather aim to spread panic and fear among the people of the city to disrupt the May 11 elections.
The DIG said three or four terrorist groups were active in the city at moment, all of whom had ties with the Taliban. He added that investigation against the groups was almost complete and the police were close to arresting those involved in the incidents.
The DIG said the raids had prevented several far more devastating attacks planned by terrorists in the city.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the twin mbombings. In a statement following the incident, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said the attacks were part of its campaign against the MQM, Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party.
MQM, announced Sunday (today) would be observed as a ‘day of mourning’ across Sindh. MQM’s Raabta Committee has appealed to all traders and transporters in the province to close businesses and transport. The All Karachi Tajir Ittehad has supported the strike call and announced that their businesses will remain closed till 3pm Sunday. Karachi Transport Ittehad chairman, however, said that although they don’t support the strike, they would still suspend transport in the city out of fear of violence.
Poll-related violence continues
At least three people were injured in separate acts of election-related violence across the country on Saturday.
In Quetta, unknown assailants lobbed a hand grenade towards Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Zahid Akhtar Baloch’s vehicle outside the party’s provincial office, critically injuring two persons. Which Zahid’s vehicle was damaged, he himself emerged unscathed.
Another person was injured in a hand grenade attack at an ANP corner meeting in Mardan. Unknown militants hurled the grenade at the hujra of ANP leader Latifur Rahman, where the meeting was being conducted, injuring his cousin and fellow party activist Javed Rahman.
In an earlier incident in Mardan on Saturday, unknown militants lobbed two hand grenades at the residence of ANP leader Ahmadullah.
Meanwhile, an election office of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was blown up in the jurisdiction of Mathra police station in Peshawar early on Saturday. According to police officials, an explosive device weighing two kilogrammes was planted neared the office. A nearby shop was also damaged in the blast.
Separately, Raj Mohammad, JI’s candidate for NA-39 survived an improvised explosive device attack in Orakzai Agency.
TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan denied responsibility for the attacks on JI candidates and the PTI election office. He claimed he was unaware of the attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2013.
At least three people were killed and 30 injured in back to back blasts near the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s ‘Nine Zero’ headquarters in Karachi.
The first blast occurred around 8:55pm outside a park opposite an MQM unit office/election cell near the party’s headquarters. After the explosion, in which eight people were reportedly injured, police, Rangers, paramedics, party workers and other bystanders immediately gathered at the site to help the injured.
That’s when the second blast, more devastating than the first, took place. It seems clear that this second blast was meant to inflict maximum casualties and target rescuers.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Zafar Bukhari confirmed that at least three people were killed and 30 others, including four policemen, two Rangers personnel and two media persons, were injured in the two blasts The injured reportedly included MQM Karachi Tanzeemi Committee member Tarawish.
Police surgeon Dr Jalil Qadir added that they were still receiving reports of more casualties. According to Dr Qadir, seven of those injured in the blast were in critical condition because of a shrapnel used in the bombs, with most of the victims receiving wounds to the torso.
Most of the injured were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Some others were admitted in the Aga Khan Hospital and the Sindh Government Hospital in Liaquatabad.
According to bomb disposal squad (BDS) officials, the explosive devices used in the two blasts both weighed around a kilogramme and utilised nuts, bolts and ball bearings. They said part of a cell phone casing was found at the site where the bomb used in the first blast had been planted, suggesting a cell phone trigger had been used in the device. They suspected the second device used a cell phone trigger as well, although no evidence for that had been found so far.
BDS officials maintained both bombs had been buried by the roadside, saying that evidence suggested that the second bomb was embedded in a cement block. The BDS officials did not know, however, as to what sort of container was used for the first bomb.
Talking to The Express Tribune, DIG Zafar Bukhari said the first blast intended to draw out people towards the site for the second one. According to him, the nine election-related blasts that have occurred in Karachi so far seem to suggest that the attacks focus less on killing and rather aim to spread panic and fear among the people of the city to disrupt the May 11 elections.
The DIG said three or four terrorist groups were active in the city at moment, all of whom had ties with the Taliban. He added that investigation against the groups was almost complete and the police were close to arresting those involved in the incidents.
The DIG said the raids had prevented several far more devastating attacks planned by terrorists in the city.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the twin mbombings. In a statement following the incident, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said the attacks were part of its campaign against the MQM, Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party.
MQM, announced Sunday (today) would be observed as a ‘day of mourning’ across Sindh. MQM’s Raabta Committee has appealed to all traders and transporters in the province to close businesses and transport. The All Karachi Tajir Ittehad has supported the strike call and announced that their businesses will remain closed till 3pm Sunday. Karachi Transport Ittehad chairman, however, said that although they don’t support the strike, they would still suspend transport in the city out of fear of violence.
Poll-related violence continues
At least three people were injured in separate acts of election-related violence across the country on Saturday.
In Quetta, unknown assailants lobbed a hand grenade towards Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Zahid Akhtar Baloch’s vehicle outside the party’s provincial office, critically injuring two persons. Which Zahid’s vehicle was damaged, he himself emerged unscathed.
Another person was injured in a hand grenade attack at an ANP corner meeting in Mardan. Unknown militants hurled the grenade at the hujra of ANP leader Latifur Rahman, where the meeting was being conducted, injuring his cousin and fellow party activist Javed Rahman.
In an earlier incident in Mardan on Saturday, unknown militants lobbed two hand grenades at the residence of ANP leader Ahmadullah.
Meanwhile, an election office of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was blown up in the jurisdiction of Mathra police station in Peshawar early on Saturday. According to police officials, an explosive device weighing two kilogrammes was planted neared the office. A nearby shop was also damaged in the blast.
Separately, Raj Mohammad, JI’s candidate for NA-39 survived an improvised explosive device attack in Orakzai Agency.
TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan denied responsibility for the attacks on JI candidates and the PTI election office. He claimed he was unaware of the attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2013.