Three people, including the chief security officer (CSO) of President Asif Zardari, were killed and another 10 sustained injuries when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the CSO’s vehicle at Guru Mandir on Wednesday.
According to reports, Bilal Sheikh stopped near a fruit shop at Guru Mandir to buy fruits when a suicide bomber blew himself up. Sheikh, his driver, Imran Zaidi, and a fruit vendor, identified as Shakil, died on the spot and 10 others, including six policemen, were injured.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has condemned the killing and announced a day of mourning on Thursday (today). Black flags would be hoisted at the party offices and workers would wear black armbands. However, public transport, shops, petrol pumps and CNG stations would remain open.
Sheikh’s bullet-proof vehicle (AJF-7830) and two police mobiles were damaged. The blast caused stampede and people who were busy buying essentials ran for their lives.
“At least three people, including Bilal Shiekh, were killed and 10 others, including police personnel, were injured in a bomb blast at Guru Mandir,” East Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Tahir Naveed said.
“It is yet to be confirmed that whether it was planted or a suicide blast,” he said, adding, “Although we have found a head and body parts of the suspected suicide bomber, but still there are many things which suggested that it could be a planted explosive device.”
“Sheikh’s driver stepped out of vehicle to buy fruits and forgot to close the door when the explosion took place,” he said, adding, “Sheikh was injured after ball bearings hit him,” Naveed said.
“There are three possibilities behind the attack,” he said, adding, “Terrorists are targeting all important personalities and Sheikh could have been targeted for serving the president.”
“The other thing is that he was attacked in 2011 by Lyari gangster Shahid Bikik but there could be a third possibility which could not be disclosed until investigation is completed.”
“It was a suicide attack,” Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Functional Crime Unit (FCU) chief Raja Umar Khitab said. “As it was confirmed that Sheikh never used this route for travelling and a suicide bomber was following him,” he added. “Attackers knew that he changes his route and that’s why they used a suicide bomber,” he added.
“I have inspected the body but it does not contain ball bearings,” Khitab said, adding, “Sheikh was killed due to shock waves of the explosion as the attacker was too close to him.”
“At least six kilogrammes of explosives were used in the attack,” the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) said in an initial report. “The suicide bomber clipped the suicide material with his chest by using a jacket. A large number of ball bearings were used in the explosive material,” the report read.
Sheikh survived an attack on May 29, 2011. An FIR was registered against Lyari gangsters under Sections 147, 148, 149, 353, 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. In April 2012, Shahid Bikik and his three accomplices were arrested for carrying out the attack.
Meanwhile, President Asif Zardari has described the killing of Sheikh as one of the saddest days of his life.
The president said Sheikh was not only a trusted companion but was like a son to him. The president appealed to the PPP workers to protest peacefully.
