Pakistani security officials examine the wreckage of a destroyed vehicle at the site of the suicide bombing in Karachi on January 9, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who had also carried out an attack on Aslam's house in 2011, claimed responsibility for the blast.
Shortly after the attack on Thursday, TTP spokesperson in Mohmand, Sajjad Mohmand, told Express News that the group has carried out a “successful” attack to take revenge for several Taliban members killed by the police.
The famed and fearless police officer had 29 years of experience behind him, and ran an elaborate intelligence network across Karachi's complex web of alliances and bitter, bloody rivalries. Over the years, he had amassed a fortune just from gathering bounties over the dozens of militants and wanted criminals in the country.
Earlier during the day, a CID team led by Aslam conducted a raid along the Northern Bypass in the Manghopir area of Karachi and claimed to have killed three militants. A policeman also suffered injuries during the raid.
The police claimed that the killed militants belonged to TTP and they had been planning to carry out a terror attack in the city on the occasion of 8th Rabiul Awal.
Around 35 minutes after the blast, the Aga Khan University Hospital received seven other bodies of injured policemen. Farhan (27) and Kamran (34) were pronounced dead on arrival while Rehmat Ali (27), Mohammad Fayyaz (27), Hazrat Bilal (32), Mohammad Irfan (28) and Farhan Ahmed Khan (28) are understood to be critically injured.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, adding that such attacks will not deter the morale of law enforcing agencies in the fight against terrorism.
President Mamnoon Hussain also expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families and paid tribute to the martyred officer, lauding him for his courage and services to the country.
Nature of the blast
Following investigations of the blast, the Inspector General Sindh said at least 20-25 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.
The bomber smashed his vehicle into Aslam's convoy and he and two other policemen were killed, senior CID officer Iqbal Mehmood told AFP.
The blast was so powerful that it threw the shattered wreckage of Aslam's vehicle some 20 metres (65 feet) from where it was hit.
One of Aslam's colleagues, senior officer Raja Umar Khatab, said it appeared the attackers had carried out a comprehensive recce in preparation for the attack.
"It seems that the suicide attacker was inside the car and waiting for Aslam's car to arrive near him and blew or hit the car with Aslam's vehicle," he said.
'Bomb-proof car had gone for repairs'
Following the blast, condolences and tributes poured in from all corners of the country.
Talking to Express News, the slain officer's wife Noreen Aslam said about her husband:
"He never once succumbed to threats, never talked of backing out. If he wanted to, he would have done so after the attack at our house. Instead, he would always say, 'on the day I'm destined to die, no one will be able to save me, and on the day I'm not, no one could kill me.'"
She further said that the other, bomb-proof car had gone for repairs since 2-3 days, and that's why her husband had taken the other car today.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said about Chaudhry Aslam's death:
"This is a huge loss for the entire force. His [SP Aslam's] gallant endeavours are not hidden from anyone. He bravely continued the fight against terrorism despite facing threats and having suffered from similar previous attacks. "
Memon said the tragic incident is being investigated and more details on the nature of the blast will follow.
Profile: "As a Muslim, my faith tells everyone has to die one day. I'm not afraid of it."
Aslam joined the force in 1987. He became the inspector and station house officer for the Kalakot police station in 1991 and then SHO for Gulbahar in 1994.
He was one of the few officers left alive among those who participated in the infamous clean-up operation against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the 1990s.
In 2011, following the attack on his house, Chaudhry Aslam was the first to get out of his house and pick up the bodies of the dead and injured.
“I will bury the attackers in the same place here,” he had said then, as he pointed to the 8 by 6 foot crater. “I will not step back. I will carry on with my jihad [against the terrorists] until the day of judgement.”
Aslam had been frequently targeted in the past, particularly for carrying out targeted operations against terrorists in the city, but he used to say:
"As a Muslim, my faith tells everyone has to die one day. I'm not afraid of it."
Chaudhry was a decorated grade-18 officer and his achievements include a Pakistan Police Medal, Qauid-e-Azam Police Medal and the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz awarded by the president on March 23 this year.
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End of Live Updates
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5:47pm
https://twitter.com/HaiderRizviMQM/status/421262061382144000
Ch Aslam, a brave police officer, martyred in terror attack, Khi. RIP. A major loss in the fight ag target terror killings in Karachi.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 9, 2014
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5:41pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pays tribute to Chaudhry Aslam, says his death is a huge loss to the police force.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Arif Alvi also calls Chaudhry Aslam a brave man, and expresses sorrow over the incident.
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5:32pm
Express News correspondent Wakeel Rao reports that Aslam was not travelling in his bomb-proof car when the incident happened. According to some witnesses, a car was following Aslam’s convoy which could have been carrying the explosives.
Earlier during the day, a CID team led by SP Chaudhry Aslam conducted a raid, claiming to have killed three TTP militants.
TTP dogs martyred my SSP. Shaheed Chaudary Aslam had been threatened & attacked B4. He didnt back down. He died a brave man.Shame on cowards
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 9, 2014
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5:28pm
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack which killed SP CID Chaudhry Aslam.
TTP spokesperson in Mohmand, Sajjad Mohmand, told The Express Tribune that the group has carried out a “successful” attack to take revenge of several Taliban members killed by the police.
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5:25pm
Earlier during the day, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team led by SP Chaudhry Aslam conducted a raid along the Northern Bypass in Manghopir area of Karachi and claimed to have killed three militants. A policeman also suffered injuries during the raid.
The police claimed that the killed militants belonged to banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and they had been planning to carry out a terror attack in the city on the occasion of 8th Rabiul Awal.
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5:22pm
On October 4 last year, Aslam had identified a suspect in a case pertaining to an armed attack on his convoy which left two policemen dead and another injured in Gizri in 2006.
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5:15pm
It is being reported that Chaudhry Aslam's car was bomb-proof.
Chaudhry Aslam fought against the terrorists till his last breath....
— Dr. Sharmila sahibah faruqui (Phd) s.i (@sharmilafaruqi) January 9, 2014
A brave police officer Chaudhry Aslam is martyred by terrorists.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) January 9, 2014
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5:11pm
Three other police officials have been killed along with Chaudhry Aslam.
Aslam had been targeted several times during the past, particularly because of his security operations against terrorists.
Earlier in September, 2011, Chaudhry Aslam’s house in DHA, Karachi was targeted. While Aslam escaped unharmed, eight others had died in the bomb blast. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for the attack.
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5:07pm
SP CID Chaudhry Aslam has been killed in the attack, Express News confirmed.
After completing an assignment in 2009, Chaudhry Aslam rejoined the CID as head of the Counter Terrorism Unit and as chief of the Anti-Extremism Cell in July 2010. Due to the nature of Aslam’s work, he had countless enemies, ranging from banned militant groups to drug-runners.
Chaudhry was a decorated grade-18 officer and his achievements include a Pakistan Police Medal, Qauid-e-Azam Police Medal and the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz awarded by the president on March 23 this year.
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5:05pm
The explosion took place on Lyari Expressway when Chaudhry Aslam was returning from a successful operation against militants.
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5:00pm
There are unverified reports that Chaudhry Aslam was killed in the explosion.
https://twitter.com/SindhPolice/status/421249266242158592
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4:56pm
CID sources said three of their officers were killed in the explosion.
CID in charge Aslam was reportedly injured in the blast.
https://twitter.com/MansoorGeoNews/status/421248726938574848
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4:54pm
According to initial details, CID in-charge Chaudhry Aslam was the target of the attack.
4:51pm
A few people are feared injured due to the explosion.
Massive blast in gulshan. Heard it near planitarium/ window shake
— Gibran Ashraf (@GibranAshraf) January 9, 2014
Blast in Karachi -- prayers for safety.
— toldja cat 🦋 (@manahylk) January 9, 2014
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4:48pm
Rescue workers and police are on their way to the location.
The exact nature of the blast was not determined as yet.
P #Karachi explosion near Civic Center plume of smoke seen rising in area. #KhiAlerts
— Norbert Almeida (@norbalm) January 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/khalidkhan787/status/421245886904418304
COMMENTS (77)
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unfortunately we have lost a brave soldier, May God rest his soul in peace
First time my heart say o give tribute to this great hero of our Nation Shaheed Ch. Aslam.
My his soul rest in peace. Now I think Drones is right who kill some of those militants.
Rest in peace mr. Aslam. You are an example of bravery and intrepidity. You earned the respect that most politicians and judges wont ever.
RIP Ch. Sahab ! Wondering if still there is someone out there who wants to negotiate with terrorists?
One thing is clear people of karachi will never vote for pti again and one thing more nobody cares about karachi exept MQM. Chaudhry Aslam saab aap ki shahadat se boht logo ke asal chehre saamne agaye hain. We will never foget you.
Indeed Ch Aslam was a brave human being, I wish we all should stand in front of terrorist like him to give a peaceful Pakistan to our coming generations. I salute him and pray for him from my heart. May God Bless him with all his kindness.
INALLIAHI WA INNA ILYHI RAJIOON. Shaheed ki jo moot hai wo koom ki hayat hai. This is a huge loss for Pakistan and we need to keep the moral of our police high. Please thank a police officer the next time you see one in Karachi. This would be a tribute to Ch Aslam.
security breach..inside job?
you will be missed so badly. RIP
ur reservations r right but dear life n death is depended on Will of God, so be brave as we pakistani face this stuff daily, no doubt today we've lost our most precious hero of war against terrorism but new courage is emerged in us n we'll fight till the end of last drop of our blood, u may visit pakistan, be brave n trust in God@Dilpreet Singh Gill:
Chaudary Aslam deserves a lot more than people grieving on his death. He deserves to be appreciated, praised and remembered by not only the police and the politicians of Pakistan but also the people. High time terrorists find a Chaudary Aslam in every city, every mosque, every church and every temple they think about blowing off. Its the responsibility of every Pakistani to start from where Chaudary Aslam left, lets not let his hard work go to waste. Hope the Karachi police finds and hangs the culprits behind the attack.
He was one of the few people still alive from the MQM cleanup in 1990.... interesting....
Rest in peace....may your killers be brought to justice
A brave office who lived like a lion. Not like paper lions of Raiwind
Ch Aslam should be given Nishan i Haider
It would be a tribute to this officer & the police force
we need honest and brave police officers like ch. aslam so that there whould exist peace in pakistan. they are beacon of light for all of us.pray for that brave officer.
"The famed and fearless police officer had 29 years of experience behind him." "Aslam joined the force in 1987." If he joined the 'force' in 1987, that makes it 27 years. Not sure how ET came up with 29 years. Nonetheless, this is a sad day and those responsible should be brought to justice and made to pay for this heinous crime.
There is a madrassah notorious for jihadi training right where shah mohammad suleman road joins the lyari expressway at Issa Nagra. A few months back also there was a terrorist bomb attack on a convoy. It's all there right under our noses, yet no investigation is ever done.
Dear ch aslam you was the fragrance of our country.now we cld nt find such a brave person like u.Allah pak bless u countless.
OMG, did CM Sindh reached crime scene on time? OMG, did they attend to injured in the hospitals? OMG, complete failure of Sindh government. OMG, Province in inexperienced hands!
This phenomenon is known as Strategic Depth morphing into Strategic Death.
Ghaznavi reincarnated , what are his impressions on the shahadat of brave soldier
RIP Ch Aslam. A real brave soldier of the soil. He did a heroic role in eliminating terrorists from Karachi. God bless his family and bless Pakistan with many more sons like him.
May his soul rest in peace. Shame on all politicians, they cant do their job and now scoring points on a a hero's death.
May Allah bless his soul. Ameen. Brave men like him are our pride and the pride of humanity. We salute you sir. Time for action, time to eliminate these heinous people from our country who believe in spill of blood. #standup4action
Mohammad Aslam Khan is dead Rip....
He was the bravest of all. I feel so sad. People like imran khan, PTI and JI should be shot. Saudi embassy in Pakistan should be closed. All madressahs should be shut. MQM pls help. Karachi is better off being separated from Pakistan so we can get rid of this cancer.
Another battle that Pakistan has lost. One can see a deadly year ahead for Karachi and Pakistan.
We lost him because those who were his supporters were silent and those who was against him were not. There is no backing for people like him from the state institution, no court is encouraging brave policemen to bring the terrorist to court and they will punish them, no govt and army telling courts to do trial of terrorists and they will protect judiciary from the consequences.
Result is society in complete chaos where terror rules, with people either surrendering to them or fighting them on their own.
Lesson from this should be the added pressure from people to increase the intensity of war against terror with emphasis on bringing them to speedy justice through judicial means.
May those responsible for this heinous act be damned, each one of them without exception.. How can anyone demand negotiations with these heartless souls. Each police officer killed by them needs justice, enough is enough. My heart and prayers for the families of all these brave police officers' families. May Allah bless them with strength and the knowledge of the bravery of their men, each one of them who daily put their lives on the line to better the lives of all in Pakistan. The loss of each one is a dreadful tragedy, a stop to it is a must, these animals should be treated without mercy.
The forces of theocracy claim another one in their war on the people of Pakistan. If an iron-fisted approach in not used to tackle these religious fascists, then prepare to be teleported back to the 7th century.
Karachi bleeds and the country bleeds and the policy of no policy and no action is good governance continues...Deadly attack on Ch Aslam in Karachi is failure of Prov Govt & Prov interior minister for not providing adequate security.
The real name of Shaheed Chaudhry Aslam was Muhammad Aslam Khan and he was from Hazara division he was given the title of Chaudhry in 1995 after 1992 operation against MQM.
Can he be given Nishan-e-Haider? If so, he deserves it, otherwise, highest civil national award.
RIP.
An irreversible loss. A great and courageous son of Pakistan has been martyred. Hope the Pakistan police would carry on your mission.
SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam Khan was known for his stance against terrorism. He believed in sending a stern message to those who were involved in terrorist activities. The terrorists obviously saw his as a big threat to their criminal mission. They had attempted to take his life before. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these brave policemen. These brave policemen died fighting for their country. The threat of terrorism continues to loom over the great of nation Pakistan, and we fully support government’s effort to counter insurgency. We commend the bravery of all those who continue to lay their lives down for the nation. We must build on their sacrifices and work together to restore peace and stability in the region.
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
So Imran Khan, you still want to talk to these murderers?
I have been trying to convince myself for the past 3 years to visit Pakistan, my ancestors came from cities all over present day Pakistan, i want to visit all of them, I want to see the culture we left behind, but when i see stuff like this it scares the living crap out of me :(
@ maestro Typical liberal fascist. Stop criticizing Saudis. They have done much for our country. It is the seculars who love worship India and the West that are destroying Pakistan. You should not be surprised when the common people rise up to fight the liberal mafia.
"The man" he was!
Tribute to Ch Aslam, a brave fighter against terrorism. Lets not surrender, no need to talk with terrorist. PTI supporter.
RIP, gr8 man
Well Done Shahid Hayat & PPP. Keep on telling us their is an operation in Karachil while nobody is safe, citizens nor police officals themselves.
May his soul rest in peace. Ameen. Saudi funded terrorists are bring tolerated by successive impotent gov'ts because they have saudi backing! When will we wake up and realize that our biggest enemy is Saudi monarchs not India, Israel or the US. Every madrassah that spews out these mongrels called taliban is funded by saudis and the UAE to spread their wahabi nonsense! Wake up and smell the thorns!!
For JI's understanding, Ch. Aslam is a true "Shaheed", not the goons that JI and co. stubbornly support.
Rulers tell us till when we will be carrying dead bodies of our countrymen.
Fallen Angle ... RIP CH ASLAM. You will never be forgotten.
A BRAVE MAN INDEED ! died like a lion . we should pay a day TRIBUTE for him
This man has captured more terrorists and halted more terrorist attacks than people know. He was a real hero. He knew his life was at risk but he still kept saving us from the bad guys. May his soul rest in peace. You're a real hero Mr. Aslam
Burn down all the unregulated madrassas in every neighbourhood in Karachi. This is the only way to nip this cancer in the bid. Come on MQM use your street muscle for something positive.
Chaudhry Aslam was the bravest police man I have seen in Pak. I am afraid now in Karchi no body dare to fight against criminals like Chaudhry Aslam. We lost the only bravest Police man in Karachi. I salute this gallant warrior of Karachi police. Due to him we have faith in police to some extent now I have no hope.
complete failure of sindh government
What a great loss for this nation, knew him personally was a warrior, who was actually fighting for Pakistan. RIP CH. ASLAM
very sad!! May the soul of brave Chaudhry Mohammad Aslam rest in peace & may Drones be upon the killers (whoever & wherever they are).
I feel deeply shocked.SSP CID Ch.Mohammad Aslam (Shaeed),everyone's HERO,including myself has died for the cause of our Pakistan,Shame on those who have admitted to have carried out this heinous crime.The Likes of him are not born everyday.I strongly recommend that he should immediately be awarded NISHAN-e-HAIDER
RIP Aslam. Gave his life for the country
A brave man! A martyr! A true servant of this nation! May Allah grant him highest place in Jannah.
Inallilah-i-wa-inaalehe rajeoon RIP Brave Solider..
Indeed a true son of the soil has embraced shahadat today. Salute to you sir, and may you rest in peace.
Am so disappointed..we're having snap checking in Karachi at various places, why damn we are unable to stop these kinds of attack? it wasn't suicidal attack. May God bring peace in this country. Inna lilla he wa inna illah e rajoon!
Very Sad Indeed. He was the only brave guy in Karachi police. RIP Ch. Aslam :(
Today a hero died Rest in Peace
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
There goes another janbaz policeman
RIP ....
We need to talk, ummmmm I meant we need to beg the terrorists to talk to us. That is the only solution. A PTI supporter.
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Illaihe Rajioun
Rest in peace Ch sahab. You were a brave fighter. Here is hoping your struggles bear fruit to this country.Salute to the martyr.
So sad ....