Human bomb detonates at The Nation newspaper, 3 killed

The main iron gate of the office fell several yards away due to the impact of the blast. It landed in the bustling area of Guru Mandir, causing injuries to those standing nearby. Windowpanes in the surrounding buildings were shattered and a car caught fire.

Bomb Disposal Squad chief Moinuddin told The Indian Express that a suicide bomber might have carried out the bombing, since there was no crater visible and that the first corpse found on the scene had been blown to bits. He added that it was also possible that the person was carrying the bomb to plant it somewhere when it detonated unexpectedly. The bomb weighed around 300 grams.

It was later discovered that the mutilated corpse was that of an unidentified woman who had come to the office ostensibly to place an advertisement in the papers, while the other dead were identified as NajamZaidi, a business executive at Nawai-e-Waqt, and his assistant Ziaul Haq.The latter succumbed to 70 per cent burn injuries.

Muhammad Azam, an injured office assistant who was taken to Civil Hospital, said: “A dark-complexioned lady of about 35 to 40 years reached our office at around 12:30 pm. She wanted to place an advertisement regarding an heirship certificate and Najam Saheb wanted her to show the relevant documents for the publication of the ad.”

“As soon as I left the office to fetch some tea and water for the client, Iheard a deafening bang and something hit me in the chest,” the eyewitness said.

Arif Nizami, the managing editor of the newspaper group, lambasted the government of General Pervez Musharraf for failing to protect newspaper offices. “Just recently a group threatened us at a press conference but the government did nothing for our protection,” said Nizami hinting at harsh remarks by Muttahida leaders at a press conference in reaction to a news item carrying derogatory remarks about Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain.

However, Muttahida leader Aftab Shaikh condemned the Nawai-e-Waqt owner’s remarks. “We have not threatened anyone in the press conference. This charge is totally false and baseless,” Shaikh said.

This is the second attack on a newspaper office during Musharraf’s regime,since he took over the country after a military coup in October last year. The offices of the Business Recorder were burnt by a rioting mob in May this year.

Nawai-e-Waqt’s offices in Guru Mandir have been attacked at least thrice inthe past five years, once with a rocket-propelled grenade, forcing the management to relocate its main editorial and management offices to the safer area of Defense Housing Society. It had, however, retained its circulation and business offices at its original premises.

The commissioner of Karachi Shafiq Paracha said the newspaper group neversought any security. “I don’t know who threatened the newspaper or its owner. How would I know if they do not make any formal request?” Paracha said.

Asked whether the incident indicated the start of suicide bombings in the city, the police chief said: “No, you can’t exactly say this. However, all indications are that the lady was carrying a bomb to plant there but somehowthe device exploded killing her too.”