TTP targets MQM supporters in Karachi, kills four

Cameramen films the vehicles damaged by a motorcycle bomb blast in Karachi January 1, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targeted a bus carrying participants of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) rally in Karachi in the Ayesha Manzil area on Tuesday evening. At least four people were killed and around 40 injured.

According to details, a motorcycle laden with explosives targeted the bus when it was parked.

According to eyewitnesses, the motorcycle on which explosives were planted was not present when the buses were parked and it was seen after the people returned to the buses from the rally.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

                                                                           END OF LIVE UPDATES 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9:55pm

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claims responsibility for the attack.

TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan says that MQM was the target of the blast, adding that this was the beginning and more such attacks will follow. He warns the public against attending MQM’s rallies.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9:46pm

Death toll has reached four, say hospital sources.

A Reuters picture shows investigators inspecting the wreckage of the bomb blast.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9:10pm

“The bomb was planted in a motorcycle. At least 21 people have been injured, condition of two of them was critical,” Asif Ijaz, a senior police official tells AFP.

“We are investigating whether it was a timed device or a remote-controlled bomb,” Imran Shokat, a spokesman for police in southern Sindh province, tells AFP.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8:45pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Faraz Khan reports that two people have died in the blast while around 40 have sustained injuries.

DIG District West Asif Aijaz Sheikh tells the media that around 2kgs of explosives were used in the blast and were planted in place of the motorcycle’s battery. Ball bearings were also used in the blast, he adds.

DIG Sheikh says that around 50 people have been injured but there is no confirmed death toll available as yet.

The buses which were targeted had brought participants to the rally from the Orangi area of the city.

According to eyewitnesses, the motorcycle on which explosives were planted was not present when the buses were parked and it was seen after the people returned to the buses from the rally.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8:36pm

President Asif Ali Zardari expresses sympathies with the bereaved families and says that the people involved in terrorist activities are enemies of the society, reports Radio Pakistan.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain condemns the terrorist incident and says the people targeting the nation are open enemies of Pakistan.

According to a Reuters report, one person was killed and 21 were injured in the blast.

Two of the injured are in a critical condition, police spokesman Imran Shaukat told Reuters.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:52pm

After shifting the injured to the hospital, the police, CID and the bomb disposal squad initiate a search operation to look for evidence.

Hospital sources say three of the injured are in critical condition.

Police and Rangers have cordoned off the area.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:42pm

Around three buses were severely affected by the blast, while the windows of at least 6-7 buses shattered.

The number of injured has gone up to 18, who have been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:35pm

The explosion near Ayesha Manzil was heard in KDA, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and the Quaid’s Mausoleum, Geo News reports.

Rescue teams are facing difficulty in reaching the blast site due to a traffic jam in the area. MQM workers are also trying to help with the rescue work.

The number of injured has gone up to eight.

The site of the blast is 500 metres away from the site of MQM’s rally Jinnah ground.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:26pm

One person is killed in the blast.

The bus was carrying participants back from Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) rally in Jinnah ground. A motorcycle parked nearby with explosives planted on it targeted the bus.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:23pm

Around 5-6 people are reportedly injured who are being shifted to a nearby hospital.

Construction work is underway in the Ayesha Manzil area currently, due to which the place often experiences traffic jams.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7:20pm

Rescue services, police and bomb disposal squad have left for the site of the incident.