Islamabad: The terrorist attack on a Shia
procession in Karachi that killed 43 people was not carried
out by a suicide bomber, but by an explosive device planted
along the route, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said
on Monday.
"The probe into the Karachi blast has revealed that
the explosion (was not caused by) a suicide bomber. It was an
explosive device which was planted along the route of the
procession," Malik told reporters after chairing a meeting to
review the security situation in the southern port city.
About 80 per cent of the investigation into the
December 28 attack had been completed and the investigation
team will submit its report to the government in the next two
to three days, he said.
The administration of Karachi was not negligent in its
handling of security for the Shia procession or the aftermath
of the attack, Malik said.
Replying to a question on possible Indian involvement
in the attack, Malik said he did not want to blame anyone
before the probe is completed.
Some persons with criminal records had been linked to
the attack and terrorist elements are bent on destabilising
Pakistan, he said.
During the meeting, Malik directed authorities to take
immediate steps to prevent targeted killings in Karachi.
The Director General of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and
representatives of intelligence agencies briefed the meeting
on the situation in Karachi.
The meeting was informed that 256 targeted killings
had been recorded in Karachi in recent months, and the dead
included 69 members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Malik said action will be taken under the
Anti-Terrorism Act to provide special security and to
investigate the killings.
All intelligence agencies will synergise their efforts
and share real-time information with law enforcement agencies.
The paramilitary Pakistan Rangers will be given powers
under the Anti-Terrorism Act to deal with extraordinary law
and order situations, the meeting decided.
Under the Act, a suspect can be detained for 90 days,
Malik said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 04, 2010, 22:46