Pakistani security officials inspect the wreckage of a vehicle at the site of a bomb blast in Karachi on July 10, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
"It seems that the suicide attacker walked up to Sheikh's vehicle and blew himself up outside the front passenger seat of the vehicle where Sheikh was seated," said police officer Raja Umar Khattab.
A police van which was accompanying the targeted vehicle also suffered damage, reported Express News.
SSP Chauhdry Aslam said, "The police will divulge information with respect to the exact nature of the blast shortly."
The explosion killed Sheikh along with his two security guards. 11 people were reportedly injured.
Six kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.
"Sheikh had reportedly stopped his car to buy fruits when the explosion happened," reported Express News correspondent, Wasiq Muhammad.
Police officials confirmed that he was travelling in a bullet proof vehicle.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) official Twitter account said the security in-charge had also served President Asif Ali Zardari in jail.
https://twitter.com/PPPSocialMedia/status/354968859909963777
The injured were taken to Jinnah Hospital, where three of the injured were described to be in a serious condition, reported Express News.
The area where the attack took place has been cordoned off for further investigation.
Sheikh's dead body will be shifted to his house in Firdous Colony, states Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) official Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/PPPSocialMedia/status/354969415764279300
"The site of the blast has many mosques and an imambargah nearby," Muhammad reported.
Shortly after the incident, President Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain spoke via telephone.
PPP leader Sharmila Faruqi said in a tweet that the party will observe a day of mourning on Thursday but markets and transport will remain open.
PPP to observe a day of mourning tomorrow.. Markets and transport to remain open..
— Dr. Sharmila sahibah faruqui (Phd) s.i (@sharmilafaruqi) July 10, 2013
A case of the attack has been registered at the Jamshed Quarters police station for murder, attempt to murder under the terrorism act.
COMMENTS (31)
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Reminds me of the builder of the Taj Mahal. Once his job was done. his hands were svered. Here only the heads roll.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: I hope you are not relying on data dished out by the likes of Mush's government where they doubled Pakistan's economy despite an average growth of what, maybe 4%. Those tall claims came crashing down the moment Mush's cronies got booted out. Result was PM Gilani and his govt. having to run straight to IMF.
@Pakistani: Don't cry dude.......we know Pakistan's have only one friend(that also temporary) called China in the whole world and this is by nature.try for more friendship its too late. check failed state economy http://beta.dawn.com/news/1019113/pakistan-seeks-imf-bailout
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: I tried to compare PAKISTAN PROSPERITY VS PAKISTAN PEACE. don't take my comment any other sense my point was on security/peace but considering your comment please check future of your long live Pakistan .........pursuing for IMF loan. http://beta.dawn.com/news/1019113/pakistan-seeks-imf-bailout
@BP: Thus is rich coming from a country who has nothing else to do but poke their nose in other countries affairs. The fact is India has been a problem for all its neighbours e.g. right from supporting the LTTE in Srilanka to creating unrest in Nepal. The fact is you have enough socio economic problems of your own and should serve your energy in trying to solve them first. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
@BP: Measuring per capita education and income, Pakistan has surpassed India, there are 500million Indians who live below the poverty line set up by their own government. So don't get so cocky, look into your house before commenting some asinine remarks. Long live Pakistan.
This news is sickening. The moronic comments from self-serving hindustanis are also sickening.
Does anyone know how many are being protected through bullet proof cars at the expense of our national exchequer? My goodness, if so low rank like Bilal is given such a car duly flanked by armed police vehicles in front and back I wonder how much security is provided to semi VIPs leaving apart our certified VIPs? If fortified security had been the answer to protect our so called high profile people then none had been killed but alas we do not learn from countries like Kuwait where true VIPs (Ministers) are neither protected nor attacked alike. Remember in Kuwait expatriates like me are much greater than local Kuwaitis but neither an expatriate nor a Kuwaiti attacks high profile officials. I am here since 1978 and since then just one time unsuccessful attempt was made on the life of previous Amir (Head of State). We must wake up from somber sleep and correct our attitude towards others so that none attacks or alternatively kill the attackers once for all who are well dug in for years and had dared to attack our number one then President cum Chief of Army Staff Gen Musharraf. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / Cell (00965)66229897/ iqbalhadizaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com.
These armored vehicles are not up to standards. Armoring companies in Pakistan following BRV 1999 standards not BRV 2009 latest standards. That was the major reason why this armored vehicle couldn't withstand this suicide attack. And in picture i can also examine the quality of work done in Pakistan on armored vehicles. This incident is also an eye opening scenario for those who are spending millions of rupees without hiring professionals for their armoring requirements.
This is a sad reminder for all the elected officials and police personal that bullet proof vehicles, police escort or millions of dollars in overseas bank account is certainly not enough for personal protection, the entire domestic security need to be improved where average person doesn't fear just leaving their house.
Unless terrorists are routed across the board, with no distinction between good and bad, this will not stop. Pakistan has become a huge swamp of these blood thirsty vampires. The swamp either gets drained completely or not at all. Picking and choosing between these vampires won't help.
It is very sad and tragic.
Few more precious human lives taken just at the beginning of Ramadhan.
Who know who will live until Eid.
I am very much sad and depressed from daily violence and unfortunate incidents.
May Al-Mighty Allah rest their souls in peace. AMEEN.
@Khan: ".....By buying expensive armored vehicles to protect “VIP” rather than taking steps to improve security and live among civilians without armor is the way to prevent such unfortunate incidents." . You propose to take away all the fun of being a VIP. Even when you are serving quality time in a jail. Must be jealous.
@nithin: And it must be very easy for the Indian commentators as well, pick any news/blog/article on ET and start bashing Pakistan and her state of affairs. Doesn't matter what the news story is talking about, heck it could be talking about 'why the sky is so blue?'. You guys leave no stone unturned when it comes to bashing Pakistan.
@Shan: The fact is Pakistan's people don't want peace.otherwise in Pakistan would have peace. See top level leaders activity they never giving importance on peace instead directly on nation prosperity(e.g. $20bn DEAL) but how come PROSPERITY by skipping PEACE? JAI HIND.
@Khan: There is no need to have APC. Half baked solution never work. Only one solution. We have to go after them before they come after us.
Well this makes it certain that zardari is going to enjoy his retirement abroad.
When this will stop, the month of Ramzan is beginning perhaps tomorrow will this continue even in this sacred month also,Pray to God to for the end of this bloodshed so that the poor people can ear their livelihood in peacefull atmosphere.
@Em: Do you think your prayer will work for Pakistan? NEVER, very very large set of civilize awareness, good mindset and education need to improve among Pakis peoples, it can help.Jai Hind.
@nithin: You said it... well done
@nithin Very appropriate layout in the prevailing circumstance we live in our country.
It must be easy for a Pakistan news editor... Top Right corner of the newspaper reserved for suicide attack, Center part for Bomb blast, Left bottom for Taliban, Right bottom for India and only one column for development in Pakistan.
Seems odd that he stopped to buy fruit and a suicide bomber just happened to be at the same place.
RIP Bilawal. One more message for Zardari.
So is this the same person who had helped Shahrukh Jatoi to escape to dubai via Karachi airport?
Hmm!!
So even Armored vehicle could not save his life!!!!
That clarifies one thing, no matter how much you guard yourself, if your environment is not safe you will eventually meet your fate.
By buying expensive armored vehicles to protect "VIP" rather than taking steps to improve security and live among civilians without armor is the way to prevent such unfortunate incidents.
Heard the sound of this blast years ago alongwith many other blasts to come at my office here at Kull TV.
There is not even a single day peaceful in pakistan,pathetic...
Heard the sound at my office here at Aaj TV.
This is devastating news. I am so sad about the lives that have been taken in this incident. I don't have the words to express sorrow over the state of affairs of the nation at the moment. Just before ramadan. Every month is bloodied. I pray this would stop.
Please have mercy on Karachi. Karachi deserves and desires peace which can only come about with a directly elected mayor with policing under him