KARACHI: SSP Anwar Ahmad, better known as Rao Anwar, survived a “suicide attack” on Tuesday evening when his convoy came under attack near Malir Cantonment, police said.

According to officials, members of the Malir SSP’s team remained unhurt but two “facilitators” of the bomber were killed when the policemen opened fire on them in retaliation.

“I was returning home from my office in Malir Cantt with my team,” SSP Ahmad said. When the convoy reached near Gate No 6 of Malir Cantt, a man started running towards his armoured personnel carrier and blew himself up near it, he added.

The SSP said soon after the explosion two men opened fire on his vehicle, adding that the policemen returned fire from inside the vehicle. The attackers died in the exchange of fire. “We believe that some of their aides have managed to escape.”

It is said to be the third attack on the life of SSP Ahmad, who remained unhurt also in the two previous assaults in 2012 and 2015.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2018