The Thursday's bomb was planted in a manhole right next to the main artery of Shahrah-e-Faisal. It went off at around 8:15am, when a PN bus (4327) carrying Navy personnel from PNS Mehran reached there in the limits of Bahadurabad police. Following the blast, heavy contingents of police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies including Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) rushed to the crime scene and cordoned off the area. They collected evidences and samples from the site to ascertain the nature of the blast.
Officials of BDS said that about 4kgs of high explosive materials along with nuts and bolts was used in the blast, adding that the bomb was detonated through a remote-controlled device. They were of the view that the same method, which was adopted in last two attacks on PN buses, was used in this blast. DIG Investigation Iftikhar Tarrar said the bomb was planted in a manhole along Karsaz road. He said the bomb was detonated, when a navy bus reached there at around 8:15, while around 3 to 4 kilograms of explosive material was used in the attack.
He did not disclose as to who are behind the series of attack on PN, but suspected that Tehrik-e-Taliban or Lashkar-e-Jhangvi/ Jundullah might be involved. He said the investigation teams obtained CCTV footages of the incident and investigation into the incident was underway.
Samples and evidence gathered from the blast site would be sent to Islamabad for forensic examination; Tarrar said and added that the reports of last two blasts had already been sent to the interior ministry. He said that the e ministry had been suggested to enhance surveillance cameras in the city, especially in the surroundings of the sensitive installations.
Meanwhile, the Bahadurabad police registered a case (88/11) under sections 3/4 of Explosive Act, 7 ATA and sections 302, 427 and 314 of Pakistan Penal Code against the unknown attackers on complaint of PN bus driver Qadim Hussain. Sources claimed that there were threats of further such attacks, saying that tight security measures are being taken to avert such incidents in future.
When contacted, spokesman of provincial home department, Sharfuddin Memon, said the authorities concerned had been directed to monitor the movement of all suspected elements. "Security arrangements will be tightened further across the city, especially in and around the sensitive installations to thwart any such incidents," he added.
The PN sailors, who were martyred in this incident, were Muhammad Yameen, 25, son of Ghulam Yaseen, Sabir Muhammad, 24, son of Din Muhammad, Mirza Ramzan Baig, 35, son of Naseeruddin and Imtiaz, 34, son of Farhan. A civilian Naveed, 27, son of Saleem, who was on the way to work on his bike (KDK-2194) also lost his live in this incident.
The bomb also damaged nearby buildings and a vehicle (ABY-796). The bodies and the injured including Lieutenant Wakeel Ahmed, Lieutenant Dr Sadia, Technician Ziaullah, Technician Tauseef Iqbal and driver Qadim Hussain, were shifted to PNS Shifa.
Five of the seven wounded civilian, Abdur Rehman, Shakir, Shoaib Rizvi, Hanif and Riyaz were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JMPC) while the other two, Zohaib and Asad, were shifted to a private hospital. Chief of the Naval Staff in a statement issued here on Thursday strongly condemned the act of terrorism and re-affirmed the resolve of Pakistan Navy to continue its fight against this menace.
The Naval Chief said that through these acts, the determination of Pakistan Navy Officers, sailors and civilians could not be deterred and PN stands firm with the nation in fight against extremism. The statement termed the incident as coward act of terrorism, which claimed the lives of four sailors and injured five others.
AP adds: Within hours of the bombing, the Pakistan Taliban _ the country's deadliest militant group _ claimed responsibility for the latest Karachi explosion. Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said the bombing targeted the navy because it's part of the Pakistan army, which backs Washington in the war against terrorism, and was carried out by ``our men.' ``We are attacking the Pakistan army as it is supporting America against us,' he told The Associated Press in a telephone call from an undisclosed location.