Two Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials were injured Wednesday evening when unidentified assailants targeted their vehicle in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.
The blast occurred near the busy Disco Bakery intersection. Witnesses reported a loud explosion followed by immediate chaos as commuters scrambled for cover. The targeted vehicle, a routine patrol unit, sustained significant damage to its side and windows.
Police and rescue services reached the site within minutes. Both injured personnel were rushed to a nearby private hospital. Hospital sources confirmed they are currently receiving treatment for shrapnel wounds, though their condition is reported as stable.
Security forces cordoned off the area shortly after the attack, launching a search operation to track down the suspects. Preliminary reports suggest the attackers were riding a motorcycle and managed to flee into the dense residential network of the neighborhood before checkpoints could be established.
This attack marks a shift in tactics, moving from target killings to explosive devices in densely populated commercial zones. While no group has claimed responsibility, the CTD remains the primary focus of militant factions operating within the city.
Investigators are currently collecting forensic evidence from the scene, including fragments of the explosive device, to determine the type of grenade used. CCTV footage from surrounding shops is also being reviewed to establish the escape route of the suspects.
For the residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, the incident has brought back grim memories of past security lapses. The intersection, typically teeming with families and shoppers at this hour, remained shuttered as police continued their sweep of the surrounding blocks.
The provincial government has yet to issue a formal statement, but the interior ministry has sought a report from the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) regarding the security failure. With the investigation in its infancy, the primary question remains: how did the attackers pinpoint a mobile CTD unit in one of the city’s most congested areas?
