The death toll in Friday’s car bomb blast at the house of PML-Q leader and former Balochistan chief minister Mir Naseer Mengal has risen to 15, as police defused seven hand grenades and explosives weighing seven kilogrammes found near the site.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operation) Nazir Ahmad Kurd said the death in Fridays’ blast had risen to 15 and over 40 people had gotten injured.
He said police were still to determine whether it was a suicide blast or one carried out through an explosives-laden car parked in front of the gate of the house.
The guard of the house told the police that unidentified men had parked a vehicle in front of the house before disappearing. However, he said, another in his statement told that the person remained seated in the car when it was blown up into pieces.
Kurd said in its investigation, the police had gotten to know that the vehicle used in the incident was a green-coloured Parado.
He said the explosive laden vehicle was similar to the one Mir Shafiqur Rahman, the son of former Chief Minister Mir Naseer Mengal, used.
He said 10 of the bodies had been identified while the identity of the rest was yet to be determined.
He said police also defused seven hand grenades found in the premises as well as other explosives weighing seven kilogrammes.
To a question regarding the murder of police surgeon Baqir Shah, Kurd said investigation was underway. He said police had offered him proper security when he complained that his life was under threat. He said Shah refused to take security.
He said Brewery SHO Amir Muhammad Dasti had recorded his conversation with the late doctor in the report.
Meanwhile, giving detail about the police performance in 2011, he said police had seized 532 kgs of hashish, 10.2 kgs of heroin, 147 kgs of opium and 513 bottles of liquor in various raids.
He said six gangs of motorcycle snatchers and 18 others involved in street crimes were also busted and 46 wanted accused and 309 absconders had been arrested.
He said six gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom had also been busted and 20 accused had been arrested. Kurd said ammunition and weapons seized during the year 2011 included 60 kgs of explosives, two hand grenades, two gas grenade, one suicide vest, 40 detonators, 29 Kalashnikovs, 126 pistols, five rifles, one LMG and 4,650 live cartridges.
