Two bombs hit Pakistan navy buses in Karachi, one dead

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Another navy bus bombed, five killed

* 13 others injured as a bomb planted in a manhole explodes near Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi

* Taliban claim responsibility

* Schools run by navy in Karachi closed

KARACHI: Another powerful bomb ripped through a Pakistan Navy bus near Karsaz area in Karachi on Thursday morning, killing five people, including four naval personnel, and wounding 13 others, among them seven civilians.

It was the third attack on navy transport after two buses were bombed on Tuesday this week in the business hub city. The twin blasts had killed four navy officials and injured at least 56.

Now yet another improvised explosive device that was planted in a manhole right next to the main artery of Shahrah-e-Faisal went off at around 8:15am when a navy bus coming from PNS Mehran, a naval air station, reached the spot.

Four navy sailors, Muhammad Yameen, 25, Sabir Muhammad, 24, 35-year-old Mirza Ramzan Baig and Imtiaz, 34, and a passing motorcyclist Naveed, 27, who was on his way to his workplace, were killed in the bombing. Six injured navy personnel, Lt Wakeel Ahmed, Lt Dr Sadia, technicians Ziaullah and Tauseef Iqbal and driver Khadim Hussain, were ferried to the PNS Shifa, a naval medical treatment facility, while five wounded civilians, namely, Abdul Rehman, Shakir, Shoaib Rizvi, Hanif and Riaz, were rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JMPC). Two other injured civilians, Zohaib and Asad, were admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

The Taliban claimed the responsibility for the attack, as they did for Tuesday’s twin assaults. Calling a foreign news agency from an undisclosed location, Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed the responsibility for all the attacks on navy buses in Karachi. Heavy contingents of police and rangers and officials of the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area after the blast.

According to the BDS, the timed device that wrecked nearby buildings and a vehicle contained 4 kilogrammes of explosive material. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said the blast appeared to be the work of the same group that was behind Tuesday’s bombings.

DIG Investigation Iftikhar Tarrar said the bomb was concealed inside a waterline on the busy Karsaz Road. It was detonated at around 8:15am when the navy bus passed by, he added.

The police official, however, refused to name the outfit which carried out the attack, and just suspected that the bombing might have been conducted by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi or Jundullah. He said that “the investigation teams have got surveillance camera footages and further investigation is in progress”. A case under section 3/4 of the Explosive Act, 7 ATA and Sections 302, 427 and 314 of the Pakistan Penal Code has been registered against unidentified terrorists in the Bahadurabad Police Station.

Sources said that “law enforcement agencies have heightened security in the city but threats of more attacks are still feared”.

Chief of the naval staff condemned this act of terrorism and reaffirmed the resolve to continue fight against terrorists, said a navy statement. The navy chief said that through their acts, terrorists would never deter the determination of the Pakistan Navy.

The statement said that the bus was attacked almost in a similar style as the two navy buses were hit in Defence and Mohajir Camp area two days ago. A senior security official said that educational institutions run by the Pakistan Navy in Karachi had been closed for three days after Tuesday’s attacks.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the bombing that caused loss of lives and wounded many.

The president expressed deep sorrow and grief over the deaths of a civilian and four navy personnel. He also prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

The prime minister directed investigation agencies to probe the incident and submit a report so that effective measures could be taken to counter terrorists. atif raza/agencies

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Bombing of three PN buses

Rangers launch operation, detain 100 suspects

By Atif Raza

KARACHI: Following bombing of three Pakistan Navy (PN) buses within two days in the metropolis, Sindh Rangers on Friday morning launched a search operation in different vicinities of Baldia Town, detaining around 100 suspects and recovering weapons.

According to sources, the search operation was initiated on a tip-off that some militants of a banned outfit, involved in recent bombings of PN buses, were hiding in these areas.

Reacting on the information, heavy contingents of Rangers, female personnel, commandos and police cordoned off different vicinities of Baldia Town, including Ittehad Town, Muhammad Khan Colony, Afridi Chowk, Mastana Chowk, etc at around 3:00am and started door-to-door search from 5:30am to 10:00am on Friday.

The Rangers detained around 100 suspects and shifted them to unknown place for interrogation. The sources said Rangers claimed to have detained only 11 criminals in this operation and recovered huge cache of weapons from their possession.

The recent bombings on PN buses have claimed around nine lives of people, including eight navy personnel. “The Rangers have launched the search operation in these areas to root out criminal elements and maintain peace in the city,” they said.

Moreover, the sources said the search operation was aimed at nabbing militants, who were hiding in these areas with intention to flare up such terrorist activities in the metropolis in coming days.

They further said that dozens of vans and vehicles carrying over 250 Rangers personnel and many policemen took part in the operation. Meanwhile, police sources said Pakistan Rangers launched the operation while the Sindh police only assisted them.

Eyewitnesses said the Rangers after initial investigation transported the detained people to unknown destination. They further said the residents of these areas also staged a protest against the operation, alleging that the Rangers had arrested innocent people without any justification. They informed that all commercial and social activities in these areas were suspended during the operation.

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KARACHI: A Pakistan Navy (PN) officer succumbed to his injuries on Friday. According to a report, officer Ashraf, son of Jalaluddin, who injured in a terrorist attack on a Navy bus at Karsaz Road on Thursday, breathed his last at PNS Shifa Hospital. Police said the victim was the resident of Naval Colony, Dalmia and hailed from Punjab. The death toll from Thursday’s bomb attack on PN buses rose to six. staff report
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Two bombs hit Pakistan navy buses in Karachi, 4 dead
26 Apr 2011 06:33

Source: reuters // Reuters


(Updates toll, adds Baluchistan attack, detail)

By Faisal Aziz

KARACHI, April 26 (Reuters) - Two bombs exploded near buses carrying navy officials in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi on Tuesday, killing four people and wounding 56, officials said, the first major attack on the military in seven years in the city.

Police said the bombs targeting the buses in two different parts of the city exploded simultaneously using remote controlled devices.

A junior naval officer and a civilian female doctor were among those killed in the twin blasts, Pakistan Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali said.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet, but analysts said that the attacks may be part of a wider militant campaign to hit security forces across the country.

"It appears to be part of the same militant campaign but I don't see any logic in targeting the navy because unlike army and air force they are not involved in any operations against the militants," said Tasneem Noorani, a security analyst and former interior secretary.

"They may have targeted navy out of desperation because the other forces (air force and army) may have become very careful and are difficult to attack."

Note: He must not be aware of the fact, what Muslims will think if PAK NAVY sent its warships to participate jointly with US and other GCC Invading Forces in Bahrain.

The attack on the military in Karachi was the first since 2004 when gunmen ambushed a convoy escorting the Karachi army corps commander. The general narrowly escaped that attack.

Karachi is Pakistan's biggest city and commercial hub. It hosts the country's central bank, the main stock exchange as well as the two main ports. Most foreign companies working in Pakistan have offices in Karachi, which is also the main base for the navy.

"Explosive devices were planted on the road and they exploded as the buses were passing. Both buses were carrying navy officials," senior police officer Iqbal Mahmood said.

In 2002, 11 French engineers and technicians working on the construction of submarines for the Pakistani navy were killed, along with three Pakistanis in a suicide car bombing outside a hotel in Karachi.

Separately, gunmen attacked and set fire to a bus in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province late on Monday, burning 15 people to death, including four children and two women, a senior government official said.

The attack took place in Sibi town, about 160 km east of the provincial capital of Quetta when the bus was parked at a roadside restaurant.
Ethnic Baluch militants have waged a low-level insurgency for decades for more autonomy and greater control of natural resources of their region. They frequently attack government installations and security forces in their violent campaign. (Additional reporting by Zeeshan Haider and Imtiaz Shah in Karachi and Gul Yousafzai in Quetta; Editing by Zeeshan Haider and Sanjeev Miglani)

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==

Four killed, 56 injured in Karachi blasts
Four killed, 56 injured in Karachi blasts Four people were killed and 56 were injured when two Pakistan Navy buses were attacked in Karachi.




Four officials of the Pakistan Navy were killed and 56 others were injured in two bomb explosions in Karachi early on Tuesday morning.



Two officials were killed when a bus of the Pakistan Navy was attacked in Baldia Town, Karachi. Many others were injured in the incident.



In another incident, two officials were killed and 15 others were injured when another Pakistan Navy bus was attacked in Defence II area of Karachi. Police and rangers reached the locations and started investigations.



Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain has condemned the blasts, and termed the incidents the worst kind of terrorism. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Shairf and Interior Minister Rehman Malik have also condemned blasts.



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KARACHI: Four Pakistan Navy personnel have been killed while more than 50 have been injured in two bomb attacks on naval buses in Karachi on Tuesday morning.

In the first incident, two personnel were killed when a motorcyclist rigged with explosives exploded next to a bus in Defence Phase II.

A sub-lieutenant and female doctor were killed in the attack. More than 50 others have been injured.

One official was killed in the second attack in Baldia Town. It is not known how the second attack took place.

Pakistan Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali confirmed one incident and said he was gathering details for the second blast that took place in another part of the sprawling city. “Explosive devices were planted on the road and they exploded as the buses were passing. Both buses were carrying navy officers,” senior police officer Iqbal Mehmood told Reuters.

The injured in both attacks have been taken to Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Shifa Hospital.

Security around naval installations has been increased. The governor and chief minister of Sindh have denounced the attacks.

End of live updates




Explosions in Karachi: Live updates

By Atika Rehman
Published: April 26, 2011
Target of the explosion was a navy bus carrying officials in Defence Phase II. PHOTO: SHAHERYAR MIRZA/EXPRESS

KARACHI: Two explosions occurred in separate areas of Karachi, early on Tuesday morning.

The first explosion took place in the Defence Phase II area while the second in Baldia Town. Initial reports suggest that in both incidents, the targets were Pakistan Navy buses.

10:00 am

Express 24/7 correspondent Mirza says another person has succumbed to injuries, increasing the number of casualties to 4.

The Pakistan Navy buses that were targeted are easily identifiable and were en route to navy offices.

9:45 am

Express 24/7 correspondent Shaheryar Mirza reports that a

third bomb has been found and defused in the Baldia Town area. An official said that the device was planted in the rocks on the side the of the road and comprised of 7-10 kg of explosives.

9:30 am

Pakistan Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali confirmed one incident and said he was gathering details for the second blast that took place in another part of the sprawling city.

“Explosive devices were planted on the road and they exploded as the buses were passing. Both buses were carrying navy officers,” senior police officer Iqbal Mehmood told Reuters.

Twitter update:

mirza9 SP Raja Umer Khattab says blasts linked, motorcycle bomb in defence blasy and possibly 2-4 kgs of explosives used. #karachi #pakistan

jehan_ara Why is the media surprised that authorities r asking them & the public to stay at a distance fm the blast to make way for emergency services

9:15 am

Police official suspects that between 2-3 kg of explosives were used in each blast.

9:10 am

Express 24/7 correspondent Shaheryar Mirza reports that a sub lieutenant and female doctor are among the two navy personnel killed in the defence Phase II blast.

Another navy official has reportedly been killed in the Baldia Town blast, but the nature of the blast is unclear. SSP Khitab says that the two explosions may be linked.

On a sidenote, one Tweet suggests a link between the blast and yesterday’s CID arrest of suspects involved in the Ghas Mandi blast:

jhaque_ Just yesterday Sindh police announced arrest of al Mukhtar terrorist members involved in Ghas mandi attack http://bit.ly/hhNfkD

9:00 am

SSP Raja Umar Khitab told the media that the bombs were remote controlled and not suicide explosions as suspected earlier. He declined to comment on the death toll.

8:55 am

Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat ulEbad Khan has ordered an investigation into the blasts.

Twitter buzz:

mirza9 One female doctor and one lieutenant killed in defence bomb blast on navy bus #karachi #pakistan police say bomb detonated from parked bike

jhaque_I wonder which terrorist arrest this was in retaliation to. they must be pretty desperate to have bombers attack Navy buses…weak target

DrAwab Blasts in a Navy bus in phase 2 DHA and baldia town Karachi… One dead several injured… sad start to a day

8:50 am

Express 24/7 reports that three people have been killed and upto 30 may be injured as a result of the two explosions.

8:45 am

Express News reports the Defence Phase II explosion was not a suicide bomb, but that a motorcycle stationed at a spot was blown up by a remote controlled device.

8:35 am

Rangers and police have cordoned off the area. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

8:30 am

Reuters reports that 15 people have been injured in the two blasts. 

“We are not sure whether it was suicide. We are busy in rescue work and 15 wounded have been shifted to the hospital,” a senior officer said by telephone. A second blast occurred in another district of the city, police said, but offered no further details.

8:20 am

Initial reports suggest that target of Baldia Town blast was also a navy bus. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the sites of the blasts.

8:05 am

A second explosion has reportedly occurred in Baldia Town, Karachi. Initial reports suggest that one person has been killed while three have been injured.

Twitter update:

mirza9 Blast possibly on bus taking navy workers in defence phase 2, still confirming details #karachi

BinaShah A motorcycle struck a naval bus and blew up. Five people wounded so far. Aaj tv reporting. Defense phase 2 near pns shifa

jhaque_ Well…thats an interesting way to be woken up #Phase2blast

jehan_ara Why is the Navy suddenly the target? Not that anyone should be.

7:50 am

Initial reports suggest that a suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed his vehicle into a navy bus in Phase II Defence. At the time of the explosion, navy officials were on board the bus.

Reports suggest 10 people have been injured. The injured have been shifted to the nearby Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Shifa Hospital, Karachi.





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26 Apr 2011 04:23

Source: reuters // Reuters


(Adds quote cause of blasts)

By Faisal Aziz

Karachi, April 26 (Reuters) - Two bombs exploded near buses carrying navy officials in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi on Tuesday, killing one man and wounding over 30, officials said.

Pakistan Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali confirmed one incident and said he was gathering details for the second blast that took place in another part of the sprawling city.

"Explosive devices were planted on the road and they exploded as the buses were passing. Both buses were carrying navy officers," senior police officer Iqbal Mehmood told Reuters.

Karachi, the country's commercial hub, is also home to the Pakistan navy.

Militants linked to al Qaeda and Taliban have repeatedly carried out attacks in the city in the past.

In 2002, 11 French engineers and technicians working on the construction of submarines for the Pakistani navy were killed, along with three Pakistanis in a suicide car bombing outside a hotel in Karachi.

The city also has a long history of bloody feuds between rival ethnic, political and sectarian groups, in which hundreds of people have been killed.

Last week, 22 people were killed in a bomb blast at a club for card players. (Additional reporting by Imtiaz Shah; Writing by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)





Two blasts hit Pakistan city of Karachi, 15 wounded
26 Apr 2011 03:31

Source: reuters // Reuters


(Adds navy spokesman's comment, detail)

Karachi, April 26 (Reuters) - A bomb hit a bus carrying navy officials in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi on Tuesday, wounding 15 people, officials said.

Pakistan Navy spokesman Captain Salman Ali confirmed the incident but said he had no other details.

"We are not sure whether it was a suicide attack. We are busy in rescue work, and 15 wounded have been shifted to the hospital," a senior police officer said by telephone.

A second blast also struck a bus carrying security forces in another part of the city, officials said, but offered no further details.

Karachi, the country's commercial hub, has a long history of bloody feuds between rival ethnic, political and sectarian groups, in which hundreds of people have been killed.

Militants linked to al Qaeda and Taliban have also carried out attacks in the city in the past. (Reporting by Faisal Aziz, Writing by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)