Five Japanese nationals unhurt after their vehicle targeted by a suicide bomber in Karachi’s Landhi area: Police

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, April 19 (SABAH): Police said on Friday that five Japanese nationals were unhurt after their vehicle was targeted by a suicide bomber in Karachi’s Landhi area.

The suicide bomber was killed in the attack while an accomplice was gunned down by police, officials said. A private security guard accompanying the Japanese national died after succumbing to his injuries while two bystanders were also injured, officials added.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar told media that the incident took place near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi, adding that the five foreign nationals were traveling in a Hiace van. “All five Japanese remained safe,” he said. “The Japanese nationals were on the way to Export Processing Zone from their residence in Zamzama, Clifton,” he said.

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh told media that the Japanese nationals were traveling in a van along with two security guards when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle hit them.

“All five Japanese nationals are safe,” DIG Shaikh said. He further said that another “suicide bomber” who was there for “backup” was gunned down by a Sharafi Goth police party patrolling the area.

“No one has claimed responsibility so far,” the DIG said, adding that the vehicle carrying the Japanese nationals was bullet-proof.

Speaking to the media at the scene, CTD in-charge Raja Umar Khattab said that the Japanese nationals were traveling in a convoy of three cars. “The suicide bomber and his accomplice were already present in the area. When they saw the cars, the suicide bomber attacked,” he said. The official further said that the attacker’s accomplice “panicked” as the suicide attack did not achieve its objective and began open firing.

He said that officials gunned down the second terrorist. “From what I checked, the terrorist fired about 15 rounds. Other than that, he also had some grenades,” Khattab said.

The CTD official reiterated that the foreign nationals were unhurt, adding that timely action by police and security guards had thwarted the attack.

The miscreants had followed the Japanese group’s vehicle for some time before the attack, he said, with authorities suspecting they carried out reconnaissance to identify the target and location of the attack.

In Tokyo, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a press conference that one Japanese national was confirmed to have been injured and the government was checking details, having flagged the risk to other citizens in Pakistan.

Police Spokesperson Abrar Hussain Baloch stated earlier that two bystanders and the guard with the Japanese nationals had suffered injuries.

Speaking to media later in the day, police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said that the injured guard, identified as 45-year-old Noor Mohammed, had succumbed to injuries during treatment at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. She added that the victim had suffered head wounds. The police surgeon noted that the condition of one of the two remaining injured persons was critical.

Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned suicide blast and firing in Landhi, Karachi.

In his statement, the President commended police’s timely action against the terrorists. He said the timely action of police prevented major casualties. He expressed the firm commitment to collectively wipe out the terrorists.

The Prime Minister, in his statement, prayed for early recovery of the injured and directed the authorities concerned to provide best possible medical facilities.

Shehbaz Sharif said the government will foil all nefarious designs to disrupt law and order situation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and prayed for the recovery of the injured, according to a statement posted on X.

“Timely action by the police saved us from any major loss of life,” he said.

“We will not rest until terrorism has been completely eradicated. We will thwart every nefarious act of disturbing the law and order situation,” the premier said.

Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, according to a statement on X by the party’s official account.

He expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice. “Foreign nationals are our guests, and respecting and protecting guests is our national slogan,” he said.

The ex-foreign minister emphasised that relations between Pakistan and Japan were of utmost importance, adding that the enemies of both countries were trying to ruin these ties.

Separately, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon to submit a report after investigating the attack, including details on who the terrorists were, where they came from, any information on their facilitators and details of explosives used in the blast. He directed that immediate arrangements be made for the security of the foreign nationals.

“Anti-national elements want to disrupt law and order, which will not be allowed at any cost,” the CM said, praising the timely action of the police.

Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori condemned the attack, stressing zero tolerance against terrorism in the city. He instructed the capital city police officer (CCPO) and the IGP to submit a detailed report on the incident, and urged LEAs to apprehend the masterminds behind the assault.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon strongly condemned the attack. “The timely action of the police has foiled the ambitions of the terrorists,” Memon said in a statement. “The nefarious actions of the terrorists will not be allowed to succeed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also directed that the security personnel injured while escorting the Japanese nationals receive immediate medical treatment.

He ordered the Karachi additional IG to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and submit a report. “No one will be allowed to sabotage the law and order situation,” Lanjar said.