4 dead in five consecutive Sukkur explosions
July 24, 2013
Firing ensued immediately after the first blast.
SUKKUR: At least four people were killed and forty injured in five consecutive explosions that took place in Barrage Colony, Sukkur on Wednesday evening, Express News reported.
Two of the deceased were ranger’s personnel and one was identified to be a commissioner house gardener’s son.
Up to 10 gunmen have attacked the heavily guarded compound and detonated four bombs, said Masood Bangash, the deputy superintendent of police in Sukkur.
He said the local offices of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the Pakistani military intelligence force located in the colony, seemed to be the main target.
Initial reports suggest that the first blast, which was reportedly the biggest, occurred when militants had an explosive-laden truck crash into one of the houses.
“Two of the militants were a suicide bomber,” said DIG Sukkur Javed Odho.
He added that the security forces killed the militants suspected to be in the area.
The militants then proceeded to throw hand grenades at the houses leading to successive explosions.
The area also houses an imam bargah, Commissioner House and Rangers’ headquarters.
“The subsequent blasts occurred as people were moving towards the site of the explosion after the first explosion,” reported Express News correspondent Sajjad Ali Shah.
The roof of the houses in the area, including the DIG house collapsed due to the intensity of the blast. It is being feared that people are trapped underneath the rubble.
Rescue teams are taking the injured to the hospital.
Heavy contingents of police and rangers have reached the blast site, but they could not reach the DIG House immediately because of the repeated explosions.
Two of the deceased were identified as Ahsan Malik and intelligence official, Muhammad Azeez who were shifted to the hospital.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the terror attack and directed the authorities concerned to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
Security officials launched a counter attack on the militants
Firing ensured between the security officials and the suspected militants immediately after the blasts.
As a result, the security officials readied to carry out an extensive attack on the militants.
Of the 5 militants suspected to be in the area, three were killed in the cross-fire while the two blew themselves up in a suicide blast, reported a Ranger’s personnel.
The local residents moved out of the area during the operation.
4 dead in five consecutive Sukkur explosions – The Express Tribune