KARACHI: An improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown into the premises of Counter Terrorism Department’s headquarters early on Monday (CTD) by unknown attackers.

“Unknown attackers threw the IED in our premises and fled from the spot,” said CTD SSP Amir Farooqi.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was summoned to the site of the incident, and managed to defuse the explosive device before it detonated.

The premises of the CTD headquarters was evacuated in order to ensure the safety of the law enforcement personnel present there.

Read: Multiple suspected militants arrested from Karachi: CTD sources

“The device was thrown over the wall and landed in the parking area of the CTD headquarters,” stated Farooqi.

He added that the wires of the device disconnected after it landed inside the premises, hence it failed it explode.

The CTD is leading the fight in Karachi alongside the Rangers against terror and sectarian outfits.

Earlier in 2010, the same premises were targeted with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) which caused massive damage to the premises and caused a large number of casualties.

The structure, especially residential quarters located across the road and around the CID offices, were also razed to the ground by the impact of the blast, killing and wounding many residents.

The ‘operation’ against criminal elements in Pakistan’s commercial hub was initiated back in September 2013 after the federal cabinet empowered Rangers to lead a targeted advance with the support of police against criminals already identified by federal military and civilian agencies for their alleged involvement in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi.

Karachi, a teeming metropolis of around 18 million people, is rife with political, ethnic, sectarian and criminal violence. Proscribed organisations have also used Karachi as a base to generate funds for furthering their anti-state agenda.