Two terrorists killed, Japanese nationals unhurt in Karachi suicide attack

KARACHI: Two terrorists were killed and three others injured during a suicide attack on a vehicle carrying Japanese nationals in the Mashera Colony of Karachi’s Landhi area on Friday morning.

According to the police, five Japanese nationals, who were on the way to the Export Processing Zone from their Clifton residence, remained unhurt as retaliatory firing from security guards foiled the terrorist attack. 

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Tariq Mastoi, a suicide attack was carried out on the car targeting foreigners. At the time of the explosion, firing was also done on the vehicle.

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“All five foreigners, including four in the front vehicle and one in the following police vehicle, remained safe in the attack,” he said, adding that the vehicle carrying the Japanese nationals was bullet-proof.

Following the firing, one of the terrorists exploded his explosives-laden jacket which damaged the foreigners’ vehicle and a motorcycle injuring three people, including two guards, police said.

Security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site shifting the foreigners to a safe place and the injured to the nearby hospital.

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh told a local publication that another “suicide bomber” who was there for “backup” was gunned down by the Sharafi Goth police party patrolling the area at the time of the blast.

However, any banned outfit has not claimed responsibility for a suicide attack so far.

PM Shehbaz, President Zardari condemns Karachi suicide attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday strongly condemned a suicide attack that took place in Karachi’s Landhi area on foreigners, lauding the timely response by the police to avert casualties.

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In separately issued statements, both the president and prime minister said that the timely action by the police averted a huge life loss, and reiterated their firm resolve to wipe out terrorism from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that the government would not sit idle without eliminating terrorism and thwarting all the nefarious attempts to disrupt the country’s peace.

He directed the best possible medical treatment for the injured and prayed for their quick recovery.