On the lead from the statements made by the two terrorists arrested in connection with Haideri Mosque and Imambargah Ali Raza blast incidents, the police has reached the parents of the two teenage girls who were trained as 'suicide bomber', ready to blast off themselves in specified Imambargahs on orders of their superiors.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishtratul Ebad Khan during his address at a seminar held under the auspice of Ziauddin Medical University on 'Major incident planning' held at a local hotel on Saturday said that the father of the two girls is a senior banker and the terrorists on whose lead the police reached them are distant relations of the family.
He said he would not disclose the names of the girls, aged about 18 years and 20 years, for the sake of the reputation of the family. "However, a complete disclosure of facts including particulars of the girls would be released to the media in a day or two when more information is collected," he added.
He said that the girls could not 'perform the job' as the news that the police knew about their plan had alerted them.
He said that before leaving their residence these girls had told their parents that they were going for 'a big cause' (hum aik azeem cause kay liya ja rahay hain).
IGP Kamal Shah said that there were many more girls being trained as 'suicide bombers' and the network of terrorists brainwashing young girls to commit such heinous crimes was under strict surveillance.
Police sources said that there were more than 20-22 girls who had been trained to commit suicide attacks. "They can give a surprise any day, anywhere."
The two girls who have been identified were asked to visit any Imambargah where women majlis was in progress and explode the bomb tied against their bodies.
The IGP said that the management of different imambargahs in Karachi and elsewhere should be careful of women coming to attend majlis in Burqas, chadar and other clothes covering their bodies. "Beefing up internal security is needed," he added.
He said that in past three years, 27 major incidents and acts of terrorism were committed in Karachi, out of which 24 had been solved. Criminals have been arrested and they are behind bars, he added.
He said that during the same period, 3050 kg explosives were recovered from terrorists.
He said, "Imagine the state of mind of these girls, and others, who were committing suicide bombing, and realize that the police is caught between the public criticism and the terrorists who are prepared to die."