Shopkeeper injured in IED explosion in Orangi Town

Police say blast happened after shopkeepers refused to pay extortion

KARACHI:  

A shopkeeper was wounded in an explosion at an electronic shop in Orangi Town Tuesday afternoon.

The explosion happened at Nadeem Electronic Shop, located near Metro Cinema in Orangi Town. The shop was partially damaged while the shopkeeper remained unhurt. "Thank God, the blast occurred seconds after we went inside for lunch," said the shop owner, Nadeem. However, a neighbouring shopkeeper, identified as Arsalan, son of Naeemullah, was injured in the blast. He was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

A contingent of police and Rangers immediately reached the site to collect evidence. The police earlier suggested that the blast occurred due to a hand grenade hurled by motorcyclists. However, the Bomb Disposal Squad experts stated in their report that the explosion resulted from an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 500 grammes that was planted outside the shop with a timer device.

 



According to police officials, the IED was planted after the shopkeeper refused to pay Rs5 million in extortion. This was the second attack on the shop. On January 1, at least four people were wounded when the same place was attacked by armed men. Police also suspect the involvement of a banned militant outfit behind the attacks. Further investigations are underway.

Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja also took notice of the incident and ordered the West SSP to conduct an inquiry into the incident and arrest the culprits.