Blasts rock Pakistan’s historical city Sukkur

KARACHI, Pakistan, July 24 (UPI Next)Several bomb blasts hit Sukkur, the third-largest city in Pakistan’s Sindh province, late Wednesday night in an apparent attack on an Inter-Services Intelligence office.

More than 30 people were wounded and several, including two officials, were killed in the attack in Sukkur, 227 miles from Karachi. Initial media reports indicated that an explosives-laden vehicle was used.

Javed Odho, deputy inspector general of Sukkur’s police, branded the incident “an organized terrorist attack,” saying the ISI office seemed to be the main target. He said that a large contingent of police had been sent to the site and had the situation under control.

Odho said after the blasts, security personnel and attackers exchanged gunfire asrescue work began. Pakistan Television, said after several explosions, gunmen seized control of a government building while another building was under fire and the wall of a third building had collapsed because of the explosions.

Maj.-Gen. Rizwan Akhtar, director general of the Sindh Pakistan Rangers, a military unit charged with internal security, said at least seven people had been killed but the compound had been secured..

“All three terrorists who entered the compound have been killed. Casualties and damage assessment are in progress and a search operation for any leftover explosives is under way,” he said.

Earlier, Sukkur Deputy Superintendent of Police Masood Bangash had told Dawn TV one more attacker was thought to be alive and hiding.

Pakistan Television reported the ISI office is in Sukkur’s posh Barrage Colony area. The bombs were detonated near the wall of the ISI office, and also damaged several other important government offices in the vicinity.

Pakistan Television also said the blasts occurred shortly after people were going for special Ramadan prayers.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. ISI and government security forces are frequent targets of the Taliban insurgents.