2 killed in blast near Bohra community mosque in Karachi

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


Afp/web Desk/faraz Khan March 20, 2015
People inspect the blast site in Aram Bagh area of Karachi. PHOTO: AFP

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





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.

 

COMMENTS (13)

globalobserver | 9 years ago | Reply @Waseem Ch: India is indeed full of corrupt politicians who swindle national wealth in the billions of dollars. Pakistani politicians are a distant second to the corrupt Indian political class. On your comment about the differences between India and Pakistan, you omitted a big reason for the growing radicalization and terrorism in Pakistan. It is that the Pakistani establishment has been actively encouraging radicalism and terrorism in the hope that the terrorists will only attack the neighbors. What you see now is the case of harvest that one sows.
Milind | 9 years ago | Reply @blue - Now that you have found out that India funds Geo TV, please rush to the nearest ISI center with your 'discovery'... Also follow up regularly with them to have it banned and all those Geo bosses locked up... Problem solved... Pakistan will turn into land of milk and honey once again...
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ