Unearthing leads: Attacks on Rangers continue, bombers remain unidentified

Samples of bomber from Friday’s Qayyumabad attack sent for lab test.

KARACHI:

More than two weeks after the attack on the Rangers, the police investigators have yet to ascertain the identities of the suicide bombers.

The first major attack on the Rangers took place on January 29 with an alleged suicide attack outside the main entrance of the Rangers Headquarters in North Nazimabad. Three Rangers’ troops and a security guard of a nearby telephone exchange were killed in the attack. The investigators sent samples, including the alleged bomber’s teeth, skin and hair, for DNA tests and also sought help with NADRA. “Unfortunately we do not have a DNA bank in Pakistan. His DNA tests have been carried out and will be matched with his family members if we are able to find them,” district West police chief, Javed Odho, told The Express Tribune. The investigators may also find some leads through matching photos with the help of NADRA.

Although investigators have no idea about the identity and origin of the suspected bomber, they claimed that they were close to some “important” leads.

DIG Odho said that the leads cannot be shared with the media as the investigation was underway.

Separately, the samples of the suspected bomber who targeted the Rangers’ convoy on February 14 in Korangi’s Qayyumabad area have also been sent to the laboratory for DNA test and NADRA for identification. Investigators are waiting for the results.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2014.