SUKKUR: At least seven people were killed and forty injured in five consecutive explosions that targeted the office of Inter-Services Intelligence in Barrage Colony, Sukkur on Wednesday evening, Express News reported.
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.
The militants then attacked with hand grenades at the houses leading to successive explosions.
Assistant Superintendent of Police City said that 30 kilograms of explosives were used in the attacks.
The area also housed an imam bargah, Commissioner House and Rangers’ headquarters.
“Two of the militants were suicide bombers,” said DIG Sukkur Javed Odho.
He added that the security forces killed the militants suspected to be in the area.
“Of those who were killed, only one was a civilian,” said Odho, adding that two ranger’s personnel were also killed.
“The subsequent blasts occurred as people were moving towards the site of the explosion after the first blast,” reported Express News correspondent Sajjad Ali Shah.
Radio Pakistan claimed that one of the militants was arrested.
The roof of the houses in the area, including the DIG house collapsed due to the intensity of the blast.
The people who were trapped under the rubble were shifted to the hospital by the rescue teams.
Heavy contingents of police and rangers 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.
@beenasarwar @Kamrankhan27 @ShamaJunejo its my neighborhood. Six blasts followed by extensive firing. Never thought this can happen in #Suk
— Shujaat (@alichacho) July 24, 2013
@ShamaJunejo first blast was huge. My home windows shattered. It is heard throughout the city.
— Shujaat (@alichacho) July 24, 2013
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, reported a Ranger’s personnel.
The local residents moved out of the area during the operation.