"The blast killed police official Shafiq Tanoli and three others and wounded 15 others including Tanoli's three guards," senior local police official Tanvir Ahmad Tunio told AFP.
He said the bomb targeted Tanoli.
A local senior police official, Raja Umar Khitab, confirmed that it was suicide attack.
"The bomber came walking in the shop and blew himself up," he added.
Another local police official confirmed the attack and casualties.
The police inspector has been targeted at least seven times before.
One of Tanoli's brothers, Rasheed, told the media that his uncle and cousin were among the deceased as well.
Tanoli’s family members had borne the brunt of his work in the past. Tanoli’s younger brother, Naveed, was killed the same day when Tanoli, the then SHO of Supermarket Police Station, had arrested the murderers of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar. Tanoli was the investigating officer for the murder case.
The injured in today's attack, who also include Tanoli's family members, were taken to local hospitals for medical assistance.
Rescue teams and the police have reached the site of the explosion and a shop was destroyed in the blast as well.
An Express News screengrab showing the inside of Tanoli's house.
According to hospital sources, the post-mortem examination of the police inspector is complete. The post-mortem report stated that there were serious injuries on Tanoli's head, face and chest caused by the explosive material which resulted in his death.
Background
The man, who was always determined to fight violence, joined the police force in 1989 when he was in his early twenties. He was also active during the army operation in the 1990s – a time when officers were scared to mention they were from the police force.
Tanoli had also worked for the CID, and was involved in the arrest of Lyari’s Arshad Pappu, inviting the wrath of his followers. He had been attacked twice in Pak Colony, twice in Mauripur, once each in Liaquatabad, Sachal and Old Sabzi Mandi.
COMMENTS (43)
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it fact the kararchies was suffered in the fear of terrorism after 1980 when one so called party claims the right , on the direction of pakistan and Isalm enemies, and start quelling with others residents of sindh
@Ahmed Ali, Its not police only in the land of pure there more bigger than these peoples specially NRO chosen.
To All Youthiyas/misquided people.
Why do you blame for every incident on MQM for any incident happen in Karachi. Please stop being biased and be truthful. for your kind information police suspects deceased family to be behind such incident.
very sad, Rest in peace brave soldier. condolence to the family may G-d Almighty grant them sabar jameel.
@tanoli....majority of police officers from constable to IGP are corrupt,see their life style of living,involved in extortion,involving innocent people and releasing after taking money,protecting land grabbers drug runner,etc ...Ch. Aslam stated as a ASI reached grade 18 but owned a house in defence,i can not dream of living in defense....the day police stop taking bribe,crime will decreased to a very low level..
with my ghastly memories of police being the most corrupt institution in karachi, i find it difficult to sympathies with them, however, sad this event is. squeezing the already poor people for more bribes and trying to avoid enforcing laws because of the powerful influences ... its just a failed institution in karachi meant for the rich and powerful and not for the average karachiite
shafiq tanoli is a great sodier.pakistani Forces zindabad......i salute Shafiq Tanoli
@Akhter Habib Can u live on fifteen thousand ruppes a month with four kids and some times parents and other brother sisters??? and do u think most of our kerta therta are so honest that no one have steal anything and lived in DHA and Clifton and other country areas
This week mqm joined Sindh Government and Today they paid back for 1990's operation.
Another brave police office lays down his life in the line of duty. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of police inspector Shafiq Tanoli and his three comrades who lost their lives in the terrorist suicide attack today. What better way to demoralize the front line of security staff than by targeting their senior officers? The message to the coward terrorists is that you may kill a few brave souls but you will not kill our resolve for peace and a violence free region. Many brave officers have died protecting the citizens of Pakistan; we salute them and stand by them today as they tackle this vicious and common enemy. There is no denying that the path towards sustained peace is treacherous but rest assured that together we will reach our destining of peace and harmony.
Abdul Quddus. DET- United States Central Command
@Tanoli..he was not a proud son of soil....he was a corrupt police officer and coward officer involved in extra--judicial killing ,running private police force for extortion and occupying properties by force
RIP Shafiq Tanoli may Allah give u place in paradise.. @Ahmed-Karachi, Bigger thieves and killers are ruler of this country and I don't know what u wanna say. the cause of all these mess killing and misery of this city is living comfortably in London.
Elimination of just and fair lot leads to the wlimination of nation from the map of the world. Hope those on helm of affairs can relaise it.
Shafiq Tanoli was suspended by IG Sindh, after he raided a banglow (C-9) in Defense area - this got a little coverage in the media because of some BIG names involved. All his security was removed, therefore, leaving him at the mercy of suicide bombers and targeted killers.
A corrupt Police officer who was suspended by Supreme Court for corruption, killings, running drug dens, occupying poor people properties by force, famous for doing fake encounters have so many admirers just because he was famous for killing members of a Political party in fake encounters. Sorry state of Pakistan and people of this country.
The government should standstill dialog with senseless and barbarian Talban who are violent to our police force. The assassins of police inspector Shafiq Tanoli should be brought to justice without fail and the malicious goals of such elements should be discouraged. If such sort of happenings keeps on lingering the confidence of the policemen shall be tarnished. These forces have to keep the peace and order situation in order. Smoke the killers out. They deserve no sympathy.
RIP All because of the political decisions and personal interest of .........
I have previously always been against corrupt police officials. But corrupt or not corrupt - I have the uttermost respect for this man who lost half his family simply because they were witnesses to the Wali Khan Baber case
To stop suicide bombings, Pakistan must provide its youth with a reason for living. A war against backwardness and illiteracy is the first step.
@Confused Do you actually know who killed wali babar. Its so easy in pakistan to blame everything on TTP
If police officers , famous journalist are not safe than one can think about the safety of common people. Government is sleeping and people are helpless and hopeless. Those who can go abroad , they are leaving and rest are living are ants.
"born the brunt" ? It should be borne
i m proud of this guy.he was a brave man.he lived like tigers.
"born the brunt" Come on Editor Saheb....its "borne" and not "born"
Heart bleeding with tears for a nation that is divided by their corrupted lust for power...
INNA-LILLAHI-WA-INNA-ILEHI-RAJYOON
May the soul rest in piece. We are always taking about Taliban or so, no one speaks out of the real names behind these killings and whole Karachi knows very well. May ALLAH take revenge from these killer organizations.
Proud sons of soil are laying their lives for protection of motherland while politicians and religious masses are confused about everything What a shame Shafiq Tanoli you will be remembered by me Thankyou for all u have done for this ungrateful nation
For me he is a bigger hero than Hamid Mir. He has sacrificed his life for the protection of people of Pakistan. Government of Pakistan & Sindh Police must ensure that his family is looked after well & proper.
So no Geo news assassin will be caught?
R.I.P.
I blame the "muzakraat, mazakraat" party for this indiscriminate devastation in the country.
No action, no hope.
Salute to brave soldier of the Nation "Shafiq Tanoli".
There are black-sheep terrorists sitting in every political party.....
Pakistani law lacks punitive measures...therefore terrorists are bold enough to act, while political parties call them brothers. An insecure place on earth.
Competent officers in the police force are being targeted. Allah save all of us from these type of terror attacks.
Meanwhile, MQM is joining the govt. What a farce.
And then there's the taliban, I wonder if this breaches the ceasefire? Guy had to sadly face the brunt of both those who claim to be pro-state and anti-state.
May Allah almighty forgive shaheed's misdeeds and give him eternal peace.
He was a hero, who worked for the country. He was different than cowards who know nothing but silence anyone with whom they disagree. May Allah bless his soul.
"Tanoli’s younger brother, Naveed, was killed the same day when Tanoli, the then SHO of Supermarket Police Station, had arrested the murderers of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar."
And everyone knows who killed Wali Babar, same people have now got Shafiq Tanoli. RIP brave man.
You simply cannot escape. RIP Wali Khan Babar. RIP everyone who followed him in graveyard