Former SSP Malir Rao Anwar survives grenade attack in Karachi

KARACHI: Suspended SSP Malir, Rao Anwar on Saturday escaped unscathed a hand-grenade attack in Steel Town area of Karachi.

According to Geo News correspondent, unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade at the vehicle of Anwar who was on his way to a site on Link Road where a day earlier, DSP Fatah Muhammad Sangri had been assassinated.

In retaliation, Anwar’s security guards opened fire on the attackers, some of whom managed to flee.

Anwar was suspended on Thursday, not too long following his press conference in which he had alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had links with RAW – the spy agency of India.

Five attackers killed in police firing

"Rao Anwar and other policemen remained unharmed in the attack as security detail responded swiftly and fired back at the militants and killed five of them," senior police official Najeeb Khan said.

“The assailants riding a white car came close to my convoy and hurled a hand grenade and also showered my car with bullets,” Anwar said, adding however that no damage transpired, because the car he was traveling in was bullet-proof.

He said an exchange of fire ensued between the attackers and his police guards which continued for a long time.

Anwar said that from the way they were dressed it appeared that the attackers were affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He said a clear picture will come out after an investigation into the attack.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan decries attack

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan denounced the bid to assassinate Anwar.