Latest News #269
January 22, 2004

The following news concerns Pakistan.

Bible Society bomb suspect leads police to explosives factory

The Karachi office of the Pakistan Bible Society in more peaceful times. The office, which includes a Bible bookshop and a reading room, was targeted by terrorists on January 15, 2004. More than 14 people were injured in the attack, including the Society's Branch Manager Peter Perwaiz. Karachi, Pakistan. Photo: UBS/Maurice Harvey (PAI91T-619.JPG)

READING, England — Police in Pakistan have seized a large quantity of explosives following the arrest of a man they believe was connected with the car bomb detonated last Thursday outside premises occupied by the Pakistan Bible Society in Karachi.

After his arrest the suspect gave information which led to the discovery on Sunday night of ammunition, detonators, grenades and two 22-pound bombs ready for use in an abandoned house in the city. Police say the man, Shamim Ahmed, is associated with a notorious Islamic militant group which was banned by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf two years ago.

It was last Thursday afternoon that the branch office of the Pakistan Bible Society at the Church of Pakistan's Holy Trinity Cathedral, in central Karachi, was targeted by bombers.

Scriptures for sale outside the Karachi branch office of the Bible Society of Pakistan in more peaceful times. The office, which includes a Bible shop and reading room, was attacked by terrorists on January 15, 2004, injuring more than 14 people. Karachi, Pakistan. Photo: UBS/Maurice Harvey (PAI91T-611.JPG)

Police said that two motorcyclists pulled up outside and threw a grenade at the front windows of the shop which forms part of the office. It exploded, shattering a window and Peter Perwaiz, the Society's Branch Manager, was hit in the forehead by a splinter of glass. Two colleagues of Mr Perwaiz were unharmed.

Soon afterwards police and some press photographers on motorcycles arrived.

At about 3.30pm they were busy at the scene when a second, much larger bomb exploded. Placed in a stolen Suzuki Hi-Roof vehicle parked alongside the church compound, it went off about 15 minutes after the grenade, injuring 14 people and destroying four parked cars and five motorcycles, two of which belonged to the photographers. Those injured included three policemen.

All the casualties were taken to a nearby hospital but none was reported to be in danger. Mr Perwaiz told Christian news agency Compass Direct, "I was standing inside the shop at the door of my office when the grenade exploded."

When news of the incident reached Anthony Lamuel, the Society's General Secretary, he contacted the Society's President Dr Alexander John Malik, Bishop of Lahore and both men flew to Karachi to provide comfort and assistance to staff members.

The following day, they had a meeting with the Governor of Sindh province, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan. The Governor said the government would step up measures to make the security of all minorities, including Christians, more effective. He also promised that the government would pay for repairs to the Bible Society's premises.

The Church of Pakistan's Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karachi. The Bible Society of Pakistan's branch office, which was targeted by terrorists on January 15, 2004, is located in the church's compound. Karachi, Pakistan. Photo: UBS/Maurice Harvey (PAI91T-526.JPG)

Bishop Malik thanked the Governor for his encouragement and said that terrorists were trying to tarnish the country's image.

Later the Governor, the Bishop and other participants at the meeting visited the scene of the blasts including the Bible Society premises.