KARACHI: At least seven people were killed and 12 injured as two explosions took place one after the other near the Dolmen Shopping Centre in Hyderi area of Karachi on Tuesday, reported Express News. A woman and a child were also among the dead.
Residents of the area said that two explosions were heard as far as two to three kilometers away from site of the blasts. The sound of the blasts and resulting shockwave caused many cars to collide with each other.
Police officials said that the blast took place in the parking lot of the shopping centre and the site caught fire after the blast. The Bomb Disposal Squad issued a report saying that the 3-4kg explosives were used in the blasts.
The dead and injured have been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital.
SSP Central, talking to the media, said that an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in one of the blasts and it was of greater intensity. The other blast was of smaller intensity, he added.
According to IG Sindh, one of the bombs had been planted on a motorcycle and another under a push cart.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report from IG Sindh.
SSP Raja Umer Khattab, talking to The Express Tribune, speculated that the nearby Bohri community might have been targeted in the attacks but did not confirm it.
Karachi city police chief Iqbal Mehmood said: "The blast occurred at a place from where we had recovered and safely defused a heavy bomb last month.
"I can't say which terrorist organisation or individuals are behind this at this point of time," he said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the city.
An eyewitness told The Express Tribune that the first blast took place at 7:25pm and the market was crowded at that time.
Rescue officials, fire brigades and the Bomb Disposal Squad have reached the site of the incident.
A heavy contingent of police and Rangers reached the spot soon after the blast.
Traders’ association has called a strike in the city in protest against the blasts.
JIT formed to investigate blasts
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday ordered for the formation of a Joint Committee to investigate the twin blasts at a market in Karachi.
According to a press release, the committee will be led by Inspector General Police Karachi. Rangers and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)representatives will also be a part of the committee.
The minister strongly condemned the blasts and said according to Interior ministry information, the blasts was not suicide. He directed FIA to send their teams to these locations and collect evidence. He said FIA and police will use all available resources to apprehend the culprits.
COMMENTS (26)
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A Muslim can never target another Muslim, no matter how weak his faith. If only we investigate these attacks we can easily get india declared a state sponsor of terrorism.
You don't even know if you are going back home once you step out of your house everyday in this country.
"Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report from IG Sindh."
Here we go again.. another usual act of report and investigation. Give us some result of any in the past!!!!
I was there while the blast happened...inside the mall with my daughter and aunt...it's really very sad to see things happening in this country....people were running..going crazy..panicking...women were crying..screaming...there were little kids horrified..confused asking their mothers what's going on....it's just sad to see all of this....
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "sooner or later these terrorists will be nabbed by the law enforcement agency and then justice will be done by the court of law."
Is that your wish or prediction?
There are few communities in Pakistan who do not create problems for others and Bohri Community is one of them.
I don't think that Bohri Community was the target of the terrorists. The terrorists planted the bomb in an area where Bohri Community lives nearby.
Bohri's are non-political people and they have nothing to do with the politics of the country.
I would request the Bohri Community that despite the loss of precious human lives, please stay calm, as Al-Mighty Allah is looking every one including the terrorists and sooner or later these terrorists will be nabbed by the law enforcement agency and then justice will be done by the court of law.
I really hate saying this, but it seems like this insanity is reaching the point where anyone with a black turban should be interrogated by police on sight. The Bohra are a very peaceful people and Dolmen Mall was one of the few places where people from North Nazimabad could hang out with their families in peace.
Nothing justifies such mindless acts of crime against humanity.
I grew up in this area can easily say that its the most peaceful and most educated suburb in the country. two-third of all professional colleges/university students come from North Nazimabad. And this is what happens when we ignore the targeting of people just because they are from different community than us... slowly the chaos spreads and engulfs everything. The terrorists needs to be punished swiftly not because they are killing shias but because they are the existential threat to all of us.
I am among one of the proud member of dawoodi bohra community.. Our community is peace loving and religious people..I feel sad why we are targeted we are not a part of any political group
Fear prevailing in the city and after this incident, I heard disturbance in the entire city. We inhabitants of Karachi are literally living at the tip of a volcano which could erupt anytime....May ALLAH forgive and safe us.......
Karachi is the heart of the Pakistan and now those wasted interests and miscreants understand to finally attack heart to inflict maximum damage to the country........
ALLAH bless Pakistan
Being a Bohri, I always thought our community was the safest. We keep a low profile to the extent that half the people don't know if Bohris even exist. My deepest condolences for those who have lost their lives in this incident. And death to whoever did this.
Its very sad to hear this. people in this area are perhaps the most peace loveing and helpful communities I have ever come arocess.
ethnic cleansing of non-sunnis(bohra - shias)
I'm supposed to move back to Pakistan from abroad ...but I really don't want to...scared now for my kids safety.
This area is fully occupied by the Bohra community. Sectarian Killings is now also targeting the Bohra community ! One of the most peace loving communities. This is very sad :(
feel sorry for people. condolence to all.
My heart bleeds when I hear or read such news.
Until how long the terrorism will go on in Pakistan?
The government should seriously address the issues due to which bomb or suicide blast takes place.
I don't have to narrate the whole story as why Pakistan has become the center of terrorism as every ones knows why such incidents takes place more or less every day in the country.