Attack on Chaudhry Aslam: ‘Suicide bomber’ identified as Imam’s son

Slain cop laid to rest amid tight security; police suspect insider’s involvement.

KARACHI:

The suspected suicide bomber, who allegedly rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into slain SP CID Chaudhry Aslam’s Vigo, has been identified as Naeemullah, the son of a prayer leader. 

According to initial investigations and evidence collected thus far, the police believe that the young Naeemullah, who was identified by fingerprints, carried out the attack in Karachi on Thursday, said SP Niaz Khosa.

Some body parts allegedly of a suspected attacker were found at the bomb site on Friday and sent to the National Database and Registration Authority for identification. “[We are] 98% sure that a suicide bomber hit the explosives-laden Suzuki cargo van with Aslam’s Vigo,” Crime Investigation Department (CID) DIG Zafar Bukhari told The Express Tribune. 



However, police officials insist that the investigation is only in its initial stages and things could change.

Naeemullah was a seminary student and son of Rafiullah, who is the Imam of Masjid Jamia Sidiqia and Mohtamim (administrator) of Madrassah Siddiqia lil Banat in Karachi’s restive Orangi Town.

Rafiullah and around half a dozen family members and comrades have been detained by the CID. According to police officials, the father and son are reportedly members of the Zikria Mehsud group, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Karachi chapter in Sohrab Goth. The police have raided the suspect’s house and detained family members in the past.

Officials allege that the Zikria Mehsud group is responsible for the Abbas Town incident as well as for the six decapitated bodies found near a shrine on the outskirts of Karachi.

Laid to rest

Chaudhry Aslam’s funeral prayers were offered at Karachi Police Headquarters, Hassan Square, on Friday. He was accorded full police honours and a floral tribute.

Meanwhile, police investigators claimed that the former chief of CID’s Anti-Extremist Cell was killed in a suicide attack.

He was killed in a powerful bomb blast on Thursday evening. His guard and driver were also killed, while 11 others were injured.

The funeral took place amid tight security – the police cordoned off roads leading to the headquarters and everyone was checked three times before being allowed to enter the area.

Around 166 policemen and officers of the Sindh police lost their lives in the line of duty in attacks and bomb blasts, but this never affected the morale of the police. But Aslam’s death definitely has. “Believe it or not, the Sindh police department is over after [Chaudhry Aslam] Sahib,” said Basharat Hussain, one of his closest friends.

Khan was laid to rest at the Gizri Graveyard, DHA, next to his mother’s grave.

Insider’s involvement?

The arrest of one policeman a few months ago – who had connections with the Taliban – confessed to being a supporter of the Taliban and also claimed the Karachi police had many more of his ilk. The attack was carried out with proper homework as the terrorists knew that Aslam was not travelling in his bombproof SUV these days, said DIG Bukhari. “We cannot rule out the possibility of spies.”

The post-mortem report

All of Aslam’s face and head bones were broken, according to the post-mortem report. “The huge explosion also damaged his chest and lower torso. His left side was more damaged than the right side,” explained police surgeon Dr Jalil Qadir. “We recognised him from his beard.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2014.