A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into a government paramilitary base in Karachi on Thursday, causing a huge blast that killed two and wounded at least 24.
The attack on the Rangers complex in a northern suburb of Karachi came early in the morning when many residents were asleep and offices were yet to open.
Rangers spokesman Major Sibtain told AFP that two of the 21 Rangers wounded when the bomber rammed the entrance to the complex had died in hospital.
"We can confirm that two of our soldiers have been killed and and 19 others wounded in the attack this morning. There is one soldier in a critical condition," he said.
Senior police official Khurram Waris told AFP that four civilians and a police officer were among the wounded.
The provincial police chief said that it was a suicide attack and only the tight security measures in force at the base had prevented major loss of life.
"It seems it was a suicide attack. The vehicle exploded before the gate of Rangers' complex because it could not enter inside due to high security," Fayyaz Lagahari told AFP.
The flatbed pickup truck was loaded with up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of explosives, senior investigating officer Javed Odho told the Geo television station.
Odho said that buildings inside the complex and around it had been damaged by the blast.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has condemned the attack and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to deal with the situation.
Meanwhile‚ Interior Minister Rehman Malik has condemned the suicide attack and directed the concerned authorities to arrest the culprits involved in the bombing.
He telephoned DG Rangers and sought information about the suicide attack.
He also directed the IG police Sindh to submit him a report on the suicide bombing attack on the Rangers Headquarters.