bomb scare

It was a regular Wednesday and I had just started eating my lunch when the fire alarm went off. There was no panic with the few people in our area so I figured it to be a false alarm or something.

Then some of the security personnel stared ushering us downstairs. Given the languange difference, I didn't know what was happening so I casually went down the 6 flights to the lobby. Everyone in the compound where then moved outside the gates and into the streets. Normally my officemates would have around 6-7 armed guards and 2 security officers with us wherever we went, but they weren't around this time. We were even joking that this was our chance to go around Karachi by ourselves.

confused people


After some confused moments, we started hearing that someone had tipped the office administration that there was a bomb inside. Cool... my first personal encounter with such issues. Surprisingly, no one panicked. And I mean there wasn't a hint of panic or concern in the air. People were just standing around, trying to get out of the hot Pakistani sun.

cops arrive


Ambulances, the police and a fire truck arrived on the scene within 10 mins of the evacuation of the building to get things in order. At this point I was thinking, where the hell are our security? I would imagine this type of event to be a reason why we have such arrangements, but they where nowhere to be found. I was somewhat dissapointed at that, but I though maybe they were deploying the Quick Reaction Force to guard us VIPs. They would've been there in a few minutes.

But, alas the QRF didn't arrive either. So I might just have to fend for myself then... even better. This could've been my chance to practice my tactical and survival skills.

damage control


No chance for that though, we spent 2 and a half hours standing off the road under the sun. Officials where clearing the building floor by floor and when they cleared to about the 4th floor (out of 10) they took a calculated risk of sending the women into the lobby. The rationale was that it was too hot outside and they where standing out on the street. Go figure...

When our floor was cleared (5th) we were given permission to go up the stairs despite the building not being 100% clear. I decided to go in for two reasons: 1) it was going to be exciting if they found a bomb (or if it exploded) and we were now inside and 2) it was hot outside and I was tired of standing around for 2 hours doing nothing.

It ended up to be a false alarm though... SNAFU