Suspected terrorist among three killed in hand grenade explosion

Three people were killed and as many others suffered injuries when a hand grenade which a policeman’s son was carrying exploded in his hand on Wednesday night, hours before the February 8 general elections.

According to the police initial investigation 17-year-old Farooq Rahman Mirani, son of Sub-Inspector Rahman Mirani, who was recently suspended from duty, accidentally triggered the hand grenade, causing it to explode.

A minor boy and a teenage girl also lost their lives in the blast. “A hand grenade exploded in the hand of a suspect, killing him on the spot in Lemo Khan Goth, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, while a police and bomb disposal team is on the spot for collecting evidence,” said the Karachi Police spokesperson. Fear spread following the explosion in the limits of the Mobina Town police station. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard miles away.

As soon as the information was received, a heavy contingent of law enforcers arrived and cordoned off the scene. Ambulances from welfare organisations transported the casualties to hospital. Fourteen-year-old Nasreen, daughter of Younus, and 18-month-old Rehan, son of Abbas, later succumbed to their injuries, while seven year-old Hussain, five-year-old Sher Zaman, and four year-old Ayan remain admitted.

The police said they searched Rahman Mirani’s house but found nothing. Police also detained half dozen suspects, including the suspect’s father and brothers. The police are investigating why the teenage boy was carrying the hand grenade.

After the initial investigations, the police suspected Farooq was allegedly planning to plant the bomb somewhere. They also suspect his involvement in a case previously registered at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station.

The police declared Farooq a suspected terrorist. They said it would be premature to say who the target of the terrorist was.

Mobina Town SHO Abdus Sattar said Farooq, a son of a suspended sub-inspector, was carrying a hand grenade in his hand, and when a shopkeeper saw and asked him about the hand grenade the bomb exploded in his hand.

Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar condemned the explosion and ordered a comprehensive investigation and submission of a report. He told the IGP and other relevant authorities to further tighten security measures. Also, Interim Home Minister Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz sought details from the DIG East.

He emphasized that all security agencies should ensure full-proof security measures in the province with mutual cooperation. No militant or separatist organisation claimed responsibility for the incident, while police investigators suspected that a separatist organisation could have been behind the incident.