Daily 'Jang' Building in Karachi attacked

KARACHI: Unknown attackers stormed into Jang building housing offices of daily The News, Jang and Geo TV in Karachi, tortured security guards and damaged building windowpanes and furniture before fleeing late on Friday night.

However, no damage to human lives was reported.

A private television quoting a security guard said a mob of over 35 persons holding rifles, brick pieces and stones in their hands reached Jang building on I. I. Chandigarh Road on around 20 motorbikes and fired bullets in the air before barging into the building.

He said they tortured security guards, torched reception desk, smashed up windowpanes, furniture and damaged vehicles and motorbikes standing outside Jang offices.

He further said attackers also damaged a relief camp set up in front of the building for affectees of Tsunami disaster.

He said attackers were raising slogans Allahhu Akbar.

Another eyewitness said a police mobile van was standing near the building when the incident took place but police did nothing and just sounded sirens.

Rauf Siddiqui, the Sindh home minister, has ordered an enquiry into the incident and asked the police to take strict action against the assailants.

A journalist said the attack might be a reaction by the religious extremists to an interview of Shimon Peres, the deputy Israeli prime minister, appeared in daily The News on Friday, who called upon Pakistan to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

He said earlier in the day, newspaper staffers received some anonymous telephonic calls of threats of 'dire consequences' for publishing the interview.