Karachi blast kills 3 Rangers

KARACHI - Three Rangers personnel were killed and four others wounded in a bomb blast planted at a roadside at University Road, Safora Chowrangi in the limits of Sachal Police Station. According to details, the incident took place at around 7:25 am and 15 feet away from Rangers mobile stationed near Rizwan Society. The blast left seven personnel injured and later three of them, namely Naik Muhammad Rashid, sepoy Muhammad Ibrahim and sepoy Ejaz Ahmed succumbed to their injuries at the CMH Hospital, Malir. SP Gadap Malik Altaf said it was a planted bomb and Rangers personnel were the target. The bomb was planted at the base of a tree in Rizwan Society Safora Goth. SP said three Rangers personnel lost their lives while four others were wounded and no civilian was hurt in the attack. According to investigators, the explosion has resemblance with the blasts took place on Muharram 9 and 10. Witnesses say the entire locality was rocked as the blast was heard miles away. They said injured personnel were seen lying in pool of blood and were shifted to hospital. Police official said Rangers mobile changed the duty around 7:00 am and for three hours they used to continue snap checking on daily basis. The Rangers officials were associated with Bhittai Wing and their funeral prayers were offered at Rangers Bhittai Wing which were attended by the DG Rangers, IG Police, DIG East, provincial health minister and several other officials. Deceased Rashid hailed from Bhawalnagar and had three children. Another, Ibrahim, hailed from Sibbi and survived by four children while Ejaz hailed from Jhelum and was the father of a daughter. At the funeral occasion, Brigadier Waseem Ayub told media that eight personnel were present when the explosion took place. Fortunately, one of the Rangers official namely Ashiq remained safe in the incident, he said. LEAs have been put on high alert while Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan has also announced Rs2 million each for the heirs of martyred while Rs0.2 for the injured personnel. Bomb disposal squad did not find anything to ascertain the device used to explode the bomb. A BDS official on condition of anonymity said that they were trying to ascertain either it was a timer device or remote-controlled device. They figured out that about 3.5 kg of explosives contained ball-bearing which also impacted the 84 square feet. Official said that this bomb was much similar to bombs exploded on Muharram 9 and 10. They further said initially probe of the BDS officials revealed that it was a remote-controlled bomb but they did not found any device. Earlier, two years ago, Rangers mobile was also targeted while standing near AO Clinic in Nazimabad in which several Rangers personnel were wounded and city police had claimed to have arrested Jundullah men involved in the attack.

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