At least four passers-by were killed and 14 others injured when a bomber targeted the armoured personnel carrier escorting SSP Malir, Rao Anwaar in Malir Halt area in the limits of Model Colony Police Station, on Thursday, police said. Police said it was a suicide attack in which Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir escaped unhurt but four people were killed in the attack.
The bodies and the injured were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). The banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility of the suicide attack, some news channels reported. SSP Anwaar was on his way to a court over inquiry into the murder of former Malir Bar Association president Salahuddin.
"The attack was against me. I was moving with my squad in Malir Halt district when the explosion took place. I am unhurt, but some of my men have been injured," Anwaar told Business Recorder. He said he has been receiving threats for last many days. He said an operation will be launched in the area to uproot terrorist outfits.
The deceased were later identified as Muhammad Adeel, 28 s/o Ismail, Muhammad Nisar, 50, Laal Badshah, 50 and Atta Muhammad, 60. The injured including two police cops have been identified as Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Yousuf, Yaseen, Mohammad Ahmad, Asif, Tariq Ansari, Hashim Khan, Shafique, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Iqbal, Wajid, Bila and Aijaz. The injured cops were later admitted at Aga Khan Hospital for treatment.
Initial reports suggested that ball bearings were used in the blast, which damaged the lower-left part the armoured personnel carrier. Approximately 5 to 6kgs explosives were used in the blast. Sub-Inspector Kashif Jalal of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) said the locally-made bomb weighed 4 to 5 Kilograms was used in the attack.
He said body parts of suicide attacker were found at the site of the blast. The bomber aged around 25 years, an official said. No FIR was registered till filing of this report. Meanwhile, Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh Mushtaq Ahmad Shah has sought report from DIGP District East pertaining to incident of Malir blast. He directed the authorities to make the intelligence more effective in order to arrest the perpetrators.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim All Shah has strongly condemned the blast at Malir Halt. Qaim said such cruel and criminal activities can not be tolerated; as such prompt & strict measures are to be adopted for security of innocent people. Qaim directed the IG Police to send him immediate report about the incident. He further directed Police, Rangers and LEAs to have constant vigilance on anti-state, anti-social elements, criminals and terrorists who were out to kill innocent people and destroy properties.
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