KARACHI: A bomb blast took place at a Rangers’ post in Liaquatabad on Sunday evening did not cause any damage to life, but triggered fear and panic among the area people, officials said.

Unidentified miscreants threw an improvised explosive device at the check-post near Gujjar Nullah, said Central SSP Muqadas Haider.

Although some Rangers personnel were performing their duty inside their post, they remained unhurt in the explosion, added the officer. The blast partially damaged the wall of the post.

Quoting a Bomb Disposal Squad officials’ report about the nature of the explosion, the Central SSP said that it was a ‘bottle bomb’ which weighed around 300 to 500 grams.

“Its motive may be to create fear and spread chaos,” the SSP added.

Pro-Rangers rally held

Meanwhile, scores of people staged a rally at the Quaid’s mausoleum on Sunday to praise the performance of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in Karachi.

The participants, including women and children, belonging to different non-governmental organisations took part in the rally that circled around the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of the Rangers and for peace in Karachi.

The rally was led by Ramzan Chhipa of the Chhipa Welfare Association. It started from the main gate of the Quaid’s mausoleum, known as Bab-i-Iman.

Amid strict security provided by the police and Rangers, the rally reached the Numaish traffic intersection, where representatives of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Irfanullah Marwat joined the participants.

The participants chanted slogans in favour of the Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and peace in Karachi. They wore white caps as a symbol of peace and released balloons into the air.

Addressing the participants and later talking to Dawn, Mr Chhipa said the purpose of the rally was to appreciate the efforts of the army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif, Rangers director general Major General Bilal Akbar and their team for restoring peace to the city and the country.

He said efforts of the Rangers to maintain peace and tranquility in Karachi were praiseworthy and other institutions should follow them.

He said progress and welfare of the people and the country was linked to peace in Karachi and the country.

The participants of the rally were being escorted by Rangers personnel travelling in four vehicles while there were also several policemen.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2016