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Blast near naval base kills 1, injures 3
A Pakistan Naval Police official was killed and three others injured when a bomb exploded at the main gate of the naval base on Hub River Road in Baldia Town on Thursday morning.According to sources, the Lashkar-e-Balochistan, linked with the Balochistan Liberation Army, has claimed responsibility of the attack. According to the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) experts, the perpetrators planted a bomb containing two to two-and-a-half kilogrammes of explosives on a motorcycle near the gate of the naval base. Following the blast, a heavy contingent of law enforcers arrived at the scene and cordoned-off the locality. The blast claimed the life of a contractual Naval police employee Muhammad Zada, 35, and injured a retired deputy superintendent of police Salman Khan, 35, Boat Basin police Head Constable Masood Ahmed and Naval police Assistant Sub-Inspector Badrul Islam, while six motorcycles were also completely destroyed. Pakistan Navy officials took position as soon as the blast occurred and the people were asked to vacate the area to avoid any untoward incidents. A bank located near the main gate was closed down, while most officials and customers remained inside. According to the BDS officials, the bomb was connected to the battery of the motorcycle and a delay switch was used to set the time. They reckoned the bomb exploded eight minutes after the delay switch was turned on. Police officials suspected the perpetrators wanted to carry out a suicide attack, but were unable to do so due to the stringent security measures taken by the Pakistan Navy at the main gate. According to South zone Deputy Inspector General Iqbal Mehmood, the attacker had to park the motorcycle outside the naval base, due to which maximum damage was avoided. Officials suspected the Pakistan Navy Ammunition Depot located near the site of the blast might have been the target of the attackers. According to sources, the Navy and civil agencies have started investigating the case and would share the outcome with the law enforcers within three days. Two young suspects, namely Hasnain and Mumtaz, have also been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning. Posted by: Fred 2010-06-11 |
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