KARACHI: A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying Japanese autoworkers, who narrowly escaped the attack Friday that wounded three bystanders in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, police said.
The van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, local police chief Arshad Awan said. He said police escorting the Japanese returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack.
“All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe,” he said.
Images on local news channels showed a damaged van, as police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. Awan said the three passersby who were wounded in the attack were in stable condition at a hospital.
Police were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer. He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on a small separatist group or Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent years. Insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
However, Japanese working in Pakistan have not been target of any such attacks.
Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and the capital of southern Sindh province.
Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan
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Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan
- Van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors
- Insurgents have also targeted Chinese working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Australia says father and son carried out Sydney beach attack as Pakistan condemns violence
- Australian authorities say at least 15 people were killed in the shooting, including a 10-year-old girl
- Pakistan says it stands in solidarity with Australia, condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations
ISLAMABAD: Australian authorities said on Monday a father and son carried out a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish festival, as Pakistan expressed solidarity with Australia and condemned the attack that claimed at least 15 lives.
Police said the 50-year-old father was shot dead at the scene while his 24-year-old son was wounded and taken into custody after the gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at the popular beach.
“We want to get to the bottom of this,” New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday. “We want to understand the motives behind it.”
A 10-year-old girl was among the 15 dead in Australia’s worst mass shooting for almost 30 years, while 42 more were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Pakistan’s government said it stood with Australia following the shooting, reiterating its opposition to such incidents amid renewed militant violence at home.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims and said Pakistan condemned “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed sympathy to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism, stands in solidarity with & condemns violence against innocent civilians,” he said.
Pakistan has faced a resurgence in militant attacks in recent months, particularly in its northwest. On Sunday, Sharif praised security forces after they killed 13 militants in two separate operations in the Mohmand and Bannu districts, according to a statement from his office.
Australian police said the attackers fired from a raised boardwalk overlooking the beach, sending people fleeing in panic. Authorities later discovered what they described as an improvised explosive device in a vehicle parked near the scene, which they believe was linked to the attackers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said tougher gun controls may be needed, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, after police confirmed the father held licenses for six weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
Mass shootings have been rare in Australia since sweeping gun law reforms were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but Albanese said the latest attack required authorities to reassess whether existing controls remained sufficient.
With input from AFP
