Pak president's chief security man killed in blast

Karachi, July 11: The chief security officer of Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, was killed along with two aides in a bomb attack in Guru Mandir area in central Karachi on Wednesday. The officer, Bilal Shaikh and the two others were killed after the blast occurred near an office of Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Several others were reportedly injured in the explosion.

It was said that Karachi-based Shaikh was an active member of the PPP and was also in charge of the security of Bilawal Bhutto, the son of Zardari and late prime minister Benazir Bhutto. He had escaped an assassination attempt near his residence a year ago.

The area was cordoned off after the bombing. Authorities said preliminary probe showed the blast to be a case of suicide attack.

They said the bomber was suspected to have followed Shaikh's white car and triggered the explosives when he stopped to get out of the vehicle. The bomber allegedly blew himself up after walking up to the front passenger seat where Shaikh was seated.

The car was badly damaged in the explosion.

No terror outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The latest attack is bound to mount more pressure on the newly elected prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who has pledged fresh action to curb terrorism in the country, which is plagued by relentless bloodshed.

OneIndia News