KU lab finds traces of explosives in Maskan blast debris
The forensics report of the explosion that occurred near Maskan Chowrangi two months ago has indicated the presence of explosive materials at the site of the blast, which killed at least nine people. The incident was initially attributed to a gas leak.
Several people were injured in the explosion on October 21 on the first floor of Allah Noor Apartments' building near Maskan Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. A case had been lodged on the complaint of the manager of a private bank office located inside the residential building and police launched investigations into the explosion.
After an initial inspection of the site, the bomb disposal squad had determined that the blast was caused by a gas leak but, given the scale of the explosion, the police found their conclusion doubtful.
Subsequently, the police sent the samples collected by the bomb disposal squad to the Hussain Ibrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi (KU) for further analysis.
According to the report prepared by the KU laboratory, two sealed parcels containing debris were received; while one contained sand, glass and metal particles, the other parcel was found to contain traces of explosive trinitrotoluene or TNT, a highly explosive material comprised of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon.
However, when contacted, Investigation SP Junaid Shaikh said that the police did not agree entirely with the laboratory's report and have now sent the samples to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency for further analysis.
The actual cause of the explosion will be evident after the PFSA report is received, maintained the investigation SP.
The police have also sought a report from the Sui Southern Gas Company for further clarity on the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2020.