One person was killed while 13 others injured in a blast at Karachi’s Saddar area on Thursday night.
The explosion took place in Murshid Bazaar segment of Saddar area of the metropolis. Smoke billowed from the blast as people started panicking in its aftermath. Moreover, over half a dozen cars and motorcycles, including a Pakistan Cost Guards (PCG) vehicle, were found to be damaged.
CCTV footage of the blast also showed the explosion on the busy street at 10:52 pm on Thursday night.
BREAKING NEWS: Blast in Saddar, Karachi claims one life and has left 9 people injured.#etribune #news #KarachiBlast #saddar pic.twitter.com/0QH9TjhWTa
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) May 12, 2022
As soon as the blast was reported, a heavy contingent of police and Rangers rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and summoned the Bomb Disposal Squad and Crime Scene Unit. Rescue volunteers also rushed the injured to Jinnah Hospital for immediate medical treatment.
The bomb went off in front of a double-cabin vehicle of the PCG, which was also severely damaged. The blast was so powerful that the windows of the nearby buildings were shattered, and their occupants fled in panic.
The Bomb Disposal Squad personnel, upon reaching the spot, started collecting evidence from the scene.
Horrific scenes show carnage as a multitude of cars have been wrecked. Police Rangers and bomb disposal units have cordoned off the area. It is suspected that an IED bomb was planted onto a motorcycle.
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) May 12, 2022
For more: https://t.co/0Go8s2EPli#etribune #news #KarachiBlast pic.twitter.com/rjIcFb20p3
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sharjeel Kharal told reporters that two PCG personnel were injured in the blast.
When asked whether the personnel were the target, he said that he had been informed by their officials that this was not their usual route therefore, it would not be correct to say that they were targeted.
Moreover, according to a report sent by IGP Mushtaq Mehr to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the police suspect that an improvised explosive device (IED) was installed in a motorcycle.
The report also mentions that a passerby was killed in the blast while many others were injured, and the attack was being thoroughly investigated.
It also highlighted that Karachi Police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon, upon reaching the scene, initially suspected PCG vehicle to be the primary target, but investigation was underway.
Following the tragedy, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Law Murtaza Wahab told the media that situation will be brought under control with the cooperation of the public and that the perpetrators will be punished severely in accordance with the law.#etribune #KarachiBlast pic.twitter.com/ovkZqkIXD1
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) May 12, 2022
The report further mentioned that one bicycle, seven motorcycles, eight cars, and one shop were severely damaged in the attack. The injured persons were identified as Shahroz, 24, Zahid, 26, Faizan, 14, Muhammad Amir, 42, Imran, 18, Abdul Manan, 17, and Wali Muhammad, 30. The deceased was identified as Omar, 25. According to the administration of Jinnah Hospital, the victim had already died by the time he was brought to the hospital.
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has witnessed an upsurge in terrorist incidents lately.
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