A bomb disposal squad member defuses an explosive device found near the site of a bomb outside the Rangers Headquarters in Korangi on Thursday. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AZEEM/EXPRESS
Army and Rangers officials were returning to the area after by-elections in the NA-254 constituency had ended when a planted explosive device went off. Army and Rangers personnel were among those injured.
Security forces surrounded the area immediately after the blast.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Ahmed reported that the injured are now being shifted to the Indus Hospital located near the area. Officials with serious injuries are being taken to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi.
One army personnel succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
Express News bureau chief Aslam Khan said that earlier DIG East Tahir Naveed had claimed that a second explosive device weighing between eight and ten kilogrammes found 300 meters from the site of the first blast, had been defused. However, SP Asif Ali later informed Express News that while the device had been discovered, jammers had been deployed before the bomb disposal squad could move in.
Chief Minister Sindh has asked the IG for an immediate report on the incident.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the blast. While MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who's party candidate was leading the polls in the area, also condemned the blast.
This is not the first time a Rangers office has been attacked. At least eight Rangers personnel were wounded in an attack on their office near Nazimabad in Karachi on June 5.
This is the same area where a firing incident in the nearby Bilal Colony killed Awami National Party (ANP) candidate and his four-year-old son on May 3.
Note: This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
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