Suicide bomber blows himself up during Karachi raid; two cops wounded

KARACHI: Two policemen were injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives as law enforcement personnel in coordination with intelligence agencies carried out a raid in Rafa-i-Aam Society in Karachi's Malir area early Sunday morning.

Police, Rangers and personnel of intelligence agencies conducted the raid on a residential building in Shamsi society in Rafa-i-Aam area.

The suicide bomber, identified as Farhan alias Pehlwan, had kept a large amount of explosive material which he blew up as the team of law enforcers raided the building to arrest him.

Senior Superintendent Police Malir Rao Anwar, who led the raiding team, told reporters that the bomber belonged to a group of wanted militants involved in attacks on top government and police officials.

"We had information that the (bomber's) group had previously targeted some important police officers and government officials. We have identified him as Farhan, the name which he was using to live in this house here, but he was also known as Pehlwan in his group. We are carrying out further investigation," he said.

SSP Anwar said that Farhan's criminal record would soon be released to the media.

Police and Rangers personnel sealed off the entry and exit routes of the area after the incident.