SP CID Chaudhry Aslam slain in Karachi blast
TTP claim responsibility for the attack. Two other police officials killed.
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
KARACHI:
A suicide bomb blast by the Taliban killed arguably Pakistan's best known police-commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Crime Investigation Department (CID) Chaudhry Aslam, near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway in Karachi on Thursday.
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
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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.
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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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:05pm
The explosion took place on Lyari Expressway when Chaudhry Aslam was returning from a successful operation against militants.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:00pm
There are unverified reports that Chaudhry Aslam was killed in the explosion.
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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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:48pm
Rescue workers and police are on their way to the location.
The exact nature of the blast was not determined as yet.
A suicide bomb blast by the Taliban killed arguably Pakistan's best known police-commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Crime Investigation Department (CID) Chaudhry Aslam, near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway in Karachi on Thursday.
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
End of Live Updates
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:47pm
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:15pm
It is being reported that Chaudhry Aslam's car was bomb-proof.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:05pm
The explosion took place on Lyari Expressway when Chaudhry Aslam was returning from a successful operation against militants.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:00pm
There are unverified reports that Chaudhry Aslam was killed in the explosion.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:56pm
CID sources said three of their officers were killed in the explosion.
CID in charge Aslam was reportedly injured in the blast.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:48pm
Rescue workers and police are on their way to the location.
The exact nature of the blast was not determined as yet.