2 killed in blast near Bohra community mosque in Karachi

As per initial reports bomb was planted on a motorcycle outside Saleh Mosque

KARACHI: At least two people were killed and seven others wounded after a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded outside a Bohra community mosque in Karachi on Friday, police said.

The blast took place in Saleh Mosque in the congested Aram Bagh area.

A police spokesperson said two were killed in the blast and seven wounded.

Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.

 



Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP

 

"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.

Umer Khatab, a senior officer at the police Counter Terrorism Department, told reporters that about two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the bomb, which was detonated with a timer.

"The bomb was planted to target the people coming out of the mosque," Khatab said.

 



Police officials inspect the site. PHOTO: AFP

 

Many worshippers in bloodstained clothes gathered outside the mosque, searching for relatives.

The blast ripped through the shutters of several nearby shops and shattered windows.

 



Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP

 

The attack was the first on a Bohra mosque in Karachi since an incident three years ago, in which seven people were killed.

Karachi, a city of 18 million, is rife with criminal, ethnic, political and sectarian killings, which claim hundreds of lives each year.

 



4:0opm: Eyewitness account

Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.

"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.



3:1opm: Motorcycle registration details

According to police, the motorcycle on which the explosives were planted was registered in the name of a resident of Kemari in Karachi.

However, it is yet to be ascertained whether the motorcycle was stolen.



3:00pm: Four injured discharged

Four injured have been discharged from Civil Hospital while one critically injured is going through surgery, according to Express News.

A few weeks ago, an unidentified person opened fire at shops owned by Bohra community in Karachi's Bahadurabad area.



2:50pm: 2 dead

Another person has succumbed to his injuries bringing the death toll to two. The deceased has been identified as Hasnain.

CID incharge Raja Omar Khatatk confirmed the death toll.



2:49pm: Leaflet reportedly found from blast site

This note was left at the location of the killing of 2 men from the Bhori community at Bahadurabad: pic.twitter.com/fqhqh13vG4

— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) March 20, 2015

2:42pm: Civil Hospital emergency sealed

The emergency ward of Civil Hospital has been sealed and relatives of the injured are not being allowed inside, Express News reports.



2:36pm: One killed

The body of one person has been brought to Civil Hospital, according to Express News.

The deceased has been identified as Shabbir Hussain.



2:30pm: Two kg of explosives used: SSP South

SSP South claims two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, according to Express News.

 



Express News screengrab of blast site

 



2:27pm: Sindh chief minister condemns blast

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah condemning the blast, has sought a report from DIG Sindh.



2:20pm: Time device explosives

According to initial reports, time device explosives were used in the blast.

 



Express News screengrab of blast site

 



2:14pm: Ten injured

The number of injured has now risen to 10, according to Express News.

However, DIG South says only 4 people have been injured.



2:10pm: One dead: unconfirmed reports

As per an unconfirmed report, one man has been killed in the explosion.



2:09pm: Occurred after prayers

The blast occurred as people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers, according to our correspondent Faraz Khan.



2:07pm: Eight injured

Eight people have been injured and are being shifted to Burhani Hospital.



2:05pm: Area cordoned off

Following the blast, security forces have cordoned off the area.

 



Express News screengrab of blast site

 



2:03pm: Three injured

Three people have been injured and shifted to Civil Hospital.



2:00pm: Motorcycles, shops damaged

Several motorcycles damaged and windows of nearby shops have been broken due to the impact of the blast.

 



Express News screengrab of blast site

 



1:55pm: Bomb planted on a motorcycle

As per initial reports, the bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked near the mosque.



1:52pm: Rescue teams reach site of blast

Police and rescue teams have reached the site of the blast.