KARACHI, Sept 19: A suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden car into the home of a senior anti-terror police officer in Defence area here on Monday, killing eight people, including a woman and her eight-year-old son, in what appeared to be the scariest experience for the quiet neighbourhood.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Although investigators were not sure about the way the attack was carried out on the residence of SP Muhammad Aslam Khan, better known as Chaudhry Aslam, who heads the anti-extremist cell of Sindh police’s Crime Investigation Department (CID), they insisted that the attacker driving a double-cabin pick-up packed with over 300kg of explosives hit the entrance gate of the residence in Street 32, off Saba Avenue, DHA Phase VIII.

They have yet to determine whether the attacker rammed the pick-up into the home or detonated it after pulling up outside the residential facility.

“It’s quite obvious after initial investigations that it was a suicide attack,” Additional IG Saud Mirza told Dawn. “We already had advisories about terror attacks in the city and all senior officers discussed security plans at a meeting late last night. We took several measures and the city was already under high alert, but the attack took us by surprise. We couldn’t assess that they (militants) would go to such extent.”

The blast, which took place at about 7.25am, rocked the peaceful DHA. Three policemen, Zakir Khan, Zunaid Khan and Sohail Moin guarding the SP’s house, and his cook Nizamuddin, died on the spot. A driver of the neighboring bungalow, Muhammad Anwar, and his son Muhammad Asif, also became the victims with fatal wounds of bomb splinters.

Mumtaz Niazi, a widow in her mid-30s, and her eight-year-old son Mohid Khan were also killed in the bombing. She was taking her only son to a nearby school for a sports day festival. She was a teacher in another school of the area which houses the city’s several renowned educational institutions.

It was a scene that few in the peaceful DHA neighbourhood would have ever witnessed. With shock and horror quite visible on their faces, a number of people came out of their homes -- some of them bleeding after having been hit by glass shards, rocks or shrapnel.

“The entire house shook and the wood and glass came rolling down on my children who were getting ready for school,” Dr Tabassum, one of the neighbours of SP Khan, said. “Then we saw plumes of smoke billowing out in the air. The whole area was shrouded in smoke. Our furniture, doors, windows… everything has been damaged. To be honest, it’s been three or four hours and we haven’t recovered from the shock yet.”

The TTP said it had carried out the attack because SP Khan had arrested and killed many of its fighters. “We will attack other police officials and those who are taking action against our people,” TTP’s spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan reporters on phone from an unspecified place.

SP Khan said he had little doubt about the TTP’s claims, adding that he already believed that the ‘cowardly attack’ was their job. “I was under threat from them (Taliban). But they will regret their cowardly attack that targeted school-going children and innocent people sleeping in their homes,” he told reporters outside his ruined home.

The additional IG said he did not see any particular case being handled by SP Khan which had led to the deadly attack, but a series of “successful raids which resulted in the arrest of a number of militants”.

IG Mirza said that a number of other senior officers were still under threat and adequate measures would be taken for their security. “Everybody who watch television channels and read newspapers must be aware of Chaudhry Aslam’s performances. He actively supervised several operations which led to arrest of dozens of militants in Karachi,” the city police chief said.

The funeral prayers of the policemen killed in the attack were offered at the police headquarters in Garden. Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wasan announced a compensation of two million rupees each to the heirs of deceased policemen.

Earlier, the minister visited the blast site and reiterated the provincial government’s resolve to fight terrorism. “The Sindh police lost 64 of its men this year in the line of duty,” he told reporters. “It’s an attempt to sabotage the improved law and order situation and growing confidence of people. We will, however, counter such attempts as successfully as we did against target killings.”

AFP adds: SP Aslam Khan escaped unhurt, but his home was destroyed. He said he knew he was the target, adding that he had been threatened by the Taliban.

It was the worst militant attack in Karachi for months. But it was the fourth attack since April in the Defence Society.  “It was a car bomb attack on my house,” SP Khan said. “I was receiving threats from Taliban, who are involved in this attack.”

Neighbouring houses were also wrecked and four cars badly damaged. The explosion created a six-foot deep crater in front of Khan’s home. Rubble, mud and pieces of glass were scattered over a large area.

Speaking to reporters outside the remains of his bungalow, SP Khan said: “I woke up from sleep and saw fire around. I ran towards other rooms of the house and saw my family safe but bewildered.

“This was a cowardly act of Taliban. I am not scared of Taliban. Let me tell you that I will not spare them in future.”

Karachi police chief Saud Mirza confirmed that Mr Khan had received TTP threats, including one recent written threat.  “We claim responsibility for the attack. Aslam Khan has killed a number of our colleagues and also arrested and tortured many more,” TTP spokesman Ehsan said. “He (SP Khan) was on our hit list and he is still on our hit list,” he said, giving names of several other police and crime investigation department officials also targeted. “They will be killed soon,” he vowed.

Witness Naeem Shaikh said he was taking his children to school when he heard a huge explosion. “I went across a lane and saw this house destroyed and huge flames around it,” said Shaikh, who lives nearby.

He said he had seen the bodies of a schoolboy and his mother lying near the house. “The boy’s schoolbag was lying abandoned nearby,” Mr Shaikh said, choking.