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Terrorists change their modus operandi
By Salman Aslam
LAHORE
The City on Wednesday witnessed another terrorist attack on the law
enforcing agencies on the Fatima Jinnah Road.
This time the terrorists changed their mode of action as they first
carried out a ground attack on the Rescue 15 building and later used
a vehicle which had an explosive device fixed in it.
It is suspected that the material used in the attack was a mix of
the RDX and trinitrotoluene or TNT explosives. The RDX is used as a
major component in many plastic-bonded explosives to increase their
intensity while the TNT is usually used to shatter concrete
structures and hillocks. At least 24 people have reportedly been
killed while over 200 injured in the attack.
The investigators say the similar mix of RDX and TNT explosives had
been used in an attack on March 4, 2008, when a suicide bomber
forced his entry to the Navy War College on The Mall, Lahore, by
ramming his explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate, killing
eight navy employees on the spot. The incident occurred at around
1:10 pm (PST) when classes in the Pakistan Navy War College were in
progress.
Another attack was carried out six days later on March 11, 2008,
when a bomber rammed his explosive-laden Shahzore truck into the
main gate of the Federal Investigation Agency headquarters in
Lahore, killing 33 people. Hardly few minutes later, yet another
bomber ripped through an advertising agency’s office in Model Town,
Lahore, confusing it with an undercover office of the Special
Investigation Authority (SIA), killing two children and their
father.
Earlier, in anther attack on January 10, 2008, at least 24 people,
including 17 policemen, were killed and 80 others injured in a
suicide bomb blast outside the Lahore High Court, minutes before the
arrival of an anti-government lawyers’ procession. The blast ripped
through GPO Chowk in front of the Lahore High Court as the suicide
bomber walked up to the about 60 riot police, who had gathered there
ahead of a protest by lawyers against the Musharraf government, and
blew himself up.
On August 13, 2008, a suicide blast in Lahore killed at least nine
people and injured more than 35, targeting policemen standing guard
on the eve of the Independence Day. The attack took place at the
busy Dubai Chowk in the Allama Iqbal Town area at 11:34pm as
citizens appeared in the streets before midnight to celebrate the
61st anniversary of the country’s independence.
On October 7, 2008, three remote-controlled bombs exploded one after
the other at three juice shops in the Garhi Shahu area injuring
seven people, including two children and a woman. The first bomb
went off at the Chhino Juice Corner near the Garhi Shahu Chowk,
injuring two waiters, aged 12 and 14.
Fifteen minutes later, the second explosion occurred at the Rehman
Juice Corner, which had been closed. The third bomb exploded after
another 15 minutes at the Dasco Juice Corner, injuring passers-by.
On November 22, 2008, at least three people, including a teenager,
were injured in a series of three explosions near the Alhamra
Cultural Complex in Lahore, where the World Performing Arts Festival
was in progress. Police said at least one of the explosions at
10:02pm (PST) might be of a timed device planted at the cafeteria in
the basement of the adjoining Punjab Institute of Language, Art and
Culture. Police were trying to locate the bombing site when another
explosion occurred less than 15 minutes later, injuring two workers.
Another 15 minutes later, a third explosion took place outside the
Alhamra Cultural Complex gate, injuring a 13-year-old boy.
On December 24, 2008, a woman, identified as Farzana Bibi, was
killed and five other people were injured as a mini-truck packed
with explosives blew up in the GOR-II area, police officials said.
The windows of nearby houses were shattered, several walls collapsed
while a transformer also exploded. Superintendent of Police Umar
Virk said a mini-cabin with about 10kg explosives blew up on the
road. Forensic experts said the explosives were detonated by remote
or a timer device. The vehicle was completely destroyed. Police said
the vehicle, belonging to the Fisheries Department, was stolen on
November 19. The target of the Lahore blast was likely a police
officer who had headed an operation that led to the death of a
leader of LeJ in 2002.
On January 9, 2009, five explosions were reported from two theatres
in Lahore. However, no casualty was reported. Four low-intensity
bombs exploded in the main electricity supply control room of the
Al-Falah Theatre at around 8:20pm (PST) while a high-intensity bomb
exploded at the Tamasil Theatre at around 10:30pm at Mozang Chungi.
A suspect was arrested from the premises of the Al-Falah, who was
taken to the Civil Lines police station for interrogation. Declining
to name a group, Deputy Inspector General of Police
(Investigations), Mushtaq Sukhera, said people who opposed the
cultural activities carried out the attacks.
On March 3, 2009, Sri Lankan cricketers narrowly escaped a terrorist
attack when terrorists ambushed a bus which was taking them to the
Gaddafi Stadium for the third day’s play of the second test between
Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
At least seven people, including six policemen escorting the Sri
Lankans and the driver of another van in the convoy, were killed and
20 others wounded in the attack near the Liberty roundabout, 500
metres from the stadium. Seven Sri Lankan players were among the
wounded. A British coach, Paul Farbrace, and Pakistani umpire Ahsan
Raza were also injured in the attack.
On March 30, 2009, eight police recruits and a civilian were killed
when a group of 10 terrorists attacked the Police Training Centre,
Manawan, with guns and grenades. The security forces regained the
control of the school in an operation that lasted for more than
eight hours. About 93 cadets and civilians were injured. Punjab IGP
Khawaja Khalid Farooq said one of the attackers was arrested,
another fled after being hit by a bullet and three blew themselves
up to avoid arrest.
The
News: Thursday, May 28, 2009 |
