Taliban attack kills 3 in Pakistani force

Friday, November 9, 2012

— A Taliban suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with explosives into a compound housing a paramilitary force in Pakistan’s largest city Thursday, killing three officers and wounding 20.

The attack underlined the deteriorating security in Karachi, the sprawling port cityof 18 million people that is the nation’s economic hub.

Thursday’s attack targeted a housing compound for the Rangers, a paramilitary force that helps Karachi police maintain security in the city, said Javed Odho, deputy inspector general of the Karachi police.

Three security personnel were killed and 20 were wounded in the explosion,said a spokesman for the Rangers, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Witnesses reported seeing a large plume of smoke rise into the sky from the residential block. Pakistani television showed images of the blast site, what appeared to be an apartment block with a gaping hole in the middle.

Front Section, Pages 7 on 11/09/2012