Ashura in Shikarpur: 4 policemen injured in confused suicide attempt
Bomb went off when the SHO turned over the injured assailant.
SUKKUR:
Four policemen were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Napier Abad village, Shikarpur on Ashura or the 10th of Muharram.
An alleged suicide bomber tried to force his way inside the house of Dr Mohammad Ibrahim Jatoi, president of the National Peoples Party, Sindh chapter, on Friday. Around 1,500 people had gathered at Jatoi’s residence for a majlis.
When Jatoi’s private security guards tried to stop the bomber from entering the premises, he panicked and started to run. The guards opened fire on him and managed to shoot him down. Jatoi told The Express Tribune that he ordered his men to keep away from the bomber and called the police.
A team of policemen headed by Khanpur SHO Mohammad Hanif Khoso arrived to find the injured suspect lying on his stomach. Khoso approached the body and when he leaned down to see the suspect’s face, the bomber’s jacket exploded. Khoso, head constables Allah Warrayo Khoso and Peeran Jurio and constable Bashir Ahmed Malgani sustained critical injuries. They were taken to Chandka Hospital Larkana, from where Hanif Khoso was moved to Karachi in a critical condition.
“It is a miracle that everybody except the four policemen remained safe,” said Jatoi. He confirmed that the attacker was a suicide bomber.
Every year on Muharram 10, Jatoi’s entire family gathers in their hometown of Napier Abad to attend a majlis. He told The Express Tribune that the attack was a deliberate attempt to kill his family. “But with the grace of Allah, nobody was hurt,” he added.
He said that when the attacker was running away, he hurled a hand grenade at the guards but the guards managed to throw the grenade into a nearby pool of water. Jatoi said the SHO made the mistake of trying to turn the bomber’s face towards him, which is when the explosion took place. The sound was deafening, he added.
Shikarpur SP Investigations Asad Sarfaraz said they are trying to investigate the attack from a number of angles. Samples of the suicide bomber’s body have been sent to Islamabad for screening. He said the police have recorded statements of witnesses. They are also trying to make a sketch of the attacker. “Some persons are under observation but we are waiting for concrete proof before making any arrests,” the SP added. Larkana DIG Din Mohammad Baloch told The Express Tribune that some headway has been made but it is still too premature to share details.
Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced a reward of Rs100,000 each for the injured policemen. He also directed the Hyderabad Regional Police Officer to ensure provision of all medical facilities to them.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2010.
Four policemen were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Napier Abad village, Shikarpur on Ashura or the 10th of Muharram.
An alleged suicide bomber tried to force his way inside the house of Dr Mohammad Ibrahim Jatoi, president of the National Peoples Party, Sindh chapter, on Friday. Around 1,500 people had gathered at Jatoi’s residence for a majlis.
When Jatoi’s private security guards tried to stop the bomber from entering the premises, he panicked and started to run. The guards opened fire on him and managed to shoot him down. Jatoi told The Express Tribune that he ordered his men to keep away from the bomber and called the police.
A team of policemen headed by Khanpur SHO Mohammad Hanif Khoso arrived to find the injured suspect lying on his stomach. Khoso approached the body and when he leaned down to see the suspect’s face, the bomber’s jacket exploded. Khoso, head constables Allah Warrayo Khoso and Peeran Jurio and constable Bashir Ahmed Malgani sustained critical injuries. They were taken to Chandka Hospital Larkana, from where Hanif Khoso was moved to Karachi in a critical condition.
“It is a miracle that everybody except the four policemen remained safe,” said Jatoi. He confirmed that the attacker was a suicide bomber.
Every year on Muharram 10, Jatoi’s entire family gathers in their hometown of Napier Abad to attend a majlis. He told The Express Tribune that the attack was a deliberate attempt to kill his family. “But with the grace of Allah, nobody was hurt,” he added.
He said that when the attacker was running away, he hurled a hand grenade at the guards but the guards managed to throw the grenade into a nearby pool of water. Jatoi said the SHO made the mistake of trying to turn the bomber’s face towards him, which is when the explosion took place. The sound was deafening, he added.
Shikarpur SP Investigations Asad Sarfaraz said they are trying to investigate the attack from a number of angles. Samples of the suicide bomber’s body have been sent to Islamabad for screening. He said the police have recorded statements of witnesses. They are also trying to make a sketch of the attacker. “Some persons are under observation but we are waiting for concrete proof before making any arrests,” the SP added. Larkana DIG Din Mohammad Baloch told The Express Tribune that some headway has been made but it is still too premature to share details.
Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced a reward of Rs100,000 each for the injured policemen. He also directed the Hyderabad Regional Police Officer to ensure provision of all medical facilities to them.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2010.