- Taliban claim bombings in Karachi which killed three Rangers and a civilian besides injuring 10 others
A few hours before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government was ready to give another chance to peace talks with the Taliban, three bombing including a suicide attack targeting security personnel in Karachi killed at least four people on Wednesday. The dead include three Rangers personnel and a private security guard, while 10 others were wounded.
While the prime minister was engrossed in announcing the establishment of a four-member committee to facilitate the dialogue process, a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson was busy claiming the responsibility for the attacks.
According to sources, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said that the Taliban have convened a meeting of the Shura to assess the committee formed by the federal government for peace talks.
In the first incident on Wednesday, two IEDs were detonated close to a Rangers’ checkpost in North Nazimabad, killing a Ranger and wounding six.
“The IEDs were installed in cement blocks to target the Rangers,” senior police officer Amir Farooqi said.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) reached the scene of the blast shortly after the incident. Rangers had cordoned off the area when a third blast, which was a suicide attack, occurred in an area close by.
The suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the Rangers’ Headquarters located in the same area, killing three including a civilian security guard and wounding another.
“The suicide attacker walked in the compound and later blew himself up when he was intercepted by the security officials while he was trying to enter through the gate,” Farooqi said.
“The Rangers personnel who spotted and intercepted the suicide bomber will be awarded the highest gallantry award,” said Rangers spokesperson.
The injured were rushed to the nearby Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment where Rangers personnel Atiqur Rahman, Sub Inspector Javed and Sepoy Umair succumbed to their injuries. Two of the injured personnel were identified as Nadeem and Munir while a Chhipa ambulance driver Zamir was also injured.
According to the police, they have arrested two suspects from the crime scene.
DIG West Javed Odho said the investigation into the attack was underway and it was likely that one of the explosives had been planted at the scene.