Pakistan 'identifies' Karachi bombers

Authorities say foreigners could still be attacked

Pakistani authorities say they have identified the group that carried out a deadly car bombing in Karachi on 14 June.

We have identified the gang behind the blast but I don't want to name the gang at this stage

Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider

Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider declined to name the group, but told reporters an announcement would be made in the next few days.

Pakistani investigators are working with the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to track down those behind the bombing outside the US consulate, which killed 12 Pakistanis and injured 40 others.

Police say some suspects have been detained for questioning, but no arrests have been made.

Mr Haider also warned that attacks against foreigners were still possible "until the last man we suspect of being involved in such terrorist activities has been arrested".

New leads

Mr Haider said "some links" had been established between the Karachi bomb and the blast outside a hotel in Karachi in May that killed 11 French nationals and three other people, including the bomber.

The hunt for clues continues

More than two dozen US investigators are said to have joined their Pakistani counterparts in the hunt for clues around the Karachi consulate.

The FBI wrapped up its investigation of the site late last week.

"We have identified the gang behind the blast but I don't want to name the gang at this stage," Mr Haider was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

Investigators are now focusing on a Suzuki pick-up vehicle that was destroyed in the blast, AFP reports.

Mr Haider said they had ruled out the possibility that it was a remotely-detonated bomb placed in a car belonging to a nearby driving school, driven by an unsuspecting instructor.

Back to work

The consulate reopened just over a week ago.

Investigations are focusing on a pick-up truck

A spokesman said consulate staff were resuming normal operations, but only US citizens would be allowed into the building for the time being.

All US missions in Pakistan were closed after the attack, but the US reopened its embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Peshawar.

Pakistani authorities have further tightened security around foreign missions, with paramilitary Rangers taking over guard duties at those considered at particular risk.