Two dead as armed men open fire near Imambargah in Karachi

Grenade hurled at former UC Nazim's house. Police defuse improvised explosive device planted near Imambargah.

KARACHI: At least tw people were dead and one injured when unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire near the Jafria Imambargah, in Qasbah colony area of Karachi on Wednesday night.

The incident, which occurred within the jurisdiction of Pirabad police station, killed Zeeshan Haider, the son of Jafria Imambargah trustee and Danish Rizvi.

The injured in the attack was identified as Maisam Raza.

Police also discovered an improvised explosive device planted near the Imambargah. Police cordoned off the area and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called in to defuse the device.

According to BDS officials, the bomb weighted around four kilogrammes and contained ball bearings.

Sectarian attack?

Police officials said that they could not immediately confirm if the incident was a sectarian attack, or there was some other motive behind it

Officials claimed that the target of the attack could have been one of the deceased, who is said to be the owner of a garment factory.

Police claimed that extortionists had demanded Rs1.5 million from one of two people killed in Wednesday's attacks and had threatened him of dire consequences.

Cracker attack near Imambargah in Kati Pahari

There were also reports that a cracker had exploded near an Imambargah in Kati Pahari area.

Officials, however, have denied that the incident took place.

Grenade attack on former UC Councillor's house

Unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle hurled a grenade at the house of a former UC Councillor in Patel Para area of Karachi late on Wednesday night, Express News reported.

No casualties have been reported from the incident.

According to Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan, police and BDS officials have reached the spot and cordoned off the area to collect evidence.

According to initial investigation, the former UC Councillor was the target of the attack.

The Councillor was home at the time of attack. His house has suffered partial damaged due to the grenade attack.

The motive of the attack is not yet known.