Despite tall claims by the law enforcement agencies, the extortion mafia is operating with impunity in the city, as two back to back blasts rocked the city on early Wednesday, destroying a house of former UC Nazim and six other shops in the limits of Pirabad police station.
According to police sources, the first bomb, which was planted in a bakery located in M. Rafiq Building, Street No 11, Mianwali colony in the limits of Pirabad police station, went off on early Wednesday that damaged the bakery, five other shops, Masjid and over a half dozen vehicles.
They said that Haji Ritaas Khan, who was the owner of the building, received an extortion slip demanding Rs 20 million some three days ago and the blast occurred following his refusal to pay the demanded money. Sources said that police had initiated inquiry and questioned Haji Ritaas as to why he did not register any complaint against the extortion threats. Just three hours after the blast, unknown bikers hurled a ball bomb at the residence of former UC Nazim Haji Aurangzeb located in Street No 5, Mianwali colony. Police said that former UC Nazim had also received an extortion slip demanding Rs 5 million from one of the banned outfits some days ago.
An official of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) said the culprits had used fuel wire in the first planted blast and added that the bomb carried over a kg of high explosive while ball bomb contained 200 grams of explosive material. Nobody was reported hurt in these blasts.