Mystery shrouds Gulshan blast

Investigators wonder how gas leak alone could cause damage at this scale, cops lodge case

The explosion at a four-storey residential building near Maskan Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, remains shrouded in mystery a day later.

Despite the bomb disposal squad finding no traces of explosive material at the site and attributing the cause to a gas leakage, investigators are perplexed as to the scale of the blast and wonder how it could have been caused by a gas leak alone.

At least five people were killed and dozens of others injured in the blast.

CCTV footage of the incident was sought and investigation officials visited the site on Thursday to inspect the debris.

The Gulshan-e-Iqbal police also a lodged a case on the matter, at the behest of a private bank's operational manager, whose office was housed in the building.

The police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and other investigative agencies are closely examining the evidence and investigating the explosion, while the site has been cordoned off for security.

Complete destruction

Rocking Allah Noor Apartments, the explosion resulted in the complete destruction of the first and second floor, as well as the ground floor that housed a private bank's office.

According to eyewitnesses, the blast shattered the building's concrete pillars and iron sheets, with debris spreading far and wide.

CCTV footage shows the usual traffic flow at Maskan Chowrangi before the blast occurs and chaos ensues. Those who could make their way out of the rubble manage to do so while passersby rush to their aid.

The impact of the blast was such that nearby traffic is also disrupted. Some vehicles travelling on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Road and near Maskan Chowrangi collided with each other due to the blast's impact. The footage shows shards from the explosion hitting motorcycles and other vehicles parked on the road.

In his statement to the police, the complainant, Muhammad Arif, stated that he and other bank employees were present on the premises when, at around 9.25am, a loud explosion occurred causing the mezzanine floor's roof to collapse.

Arif maintained the blast was caused by a gas leak and sought action against those responsible.

The case has been registered under Sections 427, 322 and 337-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, pertaining to intention to cause harm, acts causing mischief and unintentional murder.

'Gas leak(s)'

While some residents expressed reservations over the blast being caused by a gas leak, others maintained that they had in fact complained to the Sui Southern Gas Company about such a leakage multiple times. The SSGC, however, maintained that according to regulatory laws, customers are responsible for the upkeep and repair of house lines. The SSGC official denied any complaints of a gas leak were received at the SSGC helpline.

Mysteriously, an explosion had occurred on January 9, 2019, at a restaurant in the same building, next to the bank office. Three employees were injured in the blast, which also initially appeared to have occurred due to an explosive device.

But while investigation officers were perplexed as to the blast's cause then too, the bomb disposal squad attributed it to a gas leak. The injured had stated that the blast occurred when a pipe broke away from the oven during cleaning.

Recounting the explosion

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Shahidullah Din said that he was entering the University of Karachi gate when he heard the explosion and fell off his motorcycle. Collecting himself, he saw smoke emanating from the building. Afraid that it might be a terrorist attack, he ran towards his university.

Meanwhile, Masroor Raza, a resident from the building's third floor, believed it a miracle that his family survived unscathed and he got out with only a fractured foot. "There was no place to go, everything was broken."

Demolition begins, residents appeal

Meanwhile, the Sindh Building Control Authority began the demolition of the damaged part of the building.

Raza told The Express Tribune that on Wednesday, the city commissioner had assured residents they would be provided with space for temporary relocation. "But a permanent solution is needed," he says, adding that the flat he owned had been destroyed in the blast.

The brother of deceased Khalid Sultan told The Express Tribune that Sultan's widow and young daughters were left with no place to live, adding that they were not even allowed time to salvage any belongings before the demolition began. He appealed to the authorities to provide financial assistance to those affected.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2020.