KARACHI: A suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives
on Monday outside the home of a senior police officer tasked with
cracking down on the Taliban and other militants in Pakistan’s largest
city.
The blast killed at least eight people among one child,
Mueed, his mother Mumtaz Bibi and 6 policemen while left a crater 10
feet (3 meters) deep, police said.
The policeman targeted in
the bombing in the port city of Karachi, Chaudry Aslam, was not harmed
and appeared on local television shortly after the attack to blame the
Pakistani Taliban.
"This is a cowardly act," said Aslam. "I’m not scared. I will not spare them."
The
bomb exploded early on Monday morning as many children were headed to a
school located near Aslam’s home in the Defense neighborhood of
Karachi, an upscale residential area that rarely experiences militant
attacks or other forms of violence that plague the city.
The
eight people killed in the attack included six policeman guarding
Aslam’s house, one woman and one child, said Aslam. He estimated that
at least 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of explosives were used in the
attack.
The front of one concrete building was totally blown
away by huge blast. Rubble littered the streets amid the burned
carcasses of cars hit by the explosion. Aslam is a top police officer
in the Crime Investigation Department, which works to arrest Taliban
fighters and other militants in Karachi, a bustling city that is home
to some 18 million people and is also Pakistan’s main commercial hub.
Banned
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan {TTP) claimed responsibility for Monday’s
attack, which have targeted members of the security forces across the
country.
"Our men in Karachi carried out this attack," A purported Taliban spokesman Nusrat told a foreign news agency by telephone.
DIG
South Shoukat informed the media two family members of SSP Aslam were
sustained injuries but their condition was out of danger.
He
said it was not security failure as security was high alert in the
sensitive area but admitted that such suicidal attacks are difficult to
stop.
CCPO Karachi Saud Mira told reporters that about 300 kg explosive was used in this attack.
He
said CID, SSP was on threat as a pamphlet was recovered few days ago in
which Taliban warned Ch. Aslam to stop action against terrorist outfit.
Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Moeen Khan who lives
nearby where the blast occurred, said that he was sleeping when huge
blast jolts all buildings of the area.
Moeen told a private Tv
he rushed to the scene and witnessed damage and saw body parts of
deceased policemen that were spread around.
President Asif Ali
Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani condemned Karachi blast
saying that the government would not give up the war against terror and
reiterated to fight against the enemies of humanity with full capacity.
Rehman Malik telephoned SSP Aslam and praised him for his
bravery and courage. Malik asked SSP to enhance his security and
ordered CCPO to conduct inquiry of the blast.
Malik said the
militants could never succeed in their dirty plans and their acts
proved that these terrorists were near to be defeated.
He said police, rangers and FC would continue their duties to endure peace in Karachi.
Condemning
Karachi blast, Sindh home minster Manzor Wasan said provincial
government has control target killing in the city and terrorist would
also be handled in the same manner.
He announced Rs.2 millions as compensation money for families of policemen killed in Monday blast. Online
