Karachi bomb blast kills 1, injures 4

Explosives were planted in a cement block and placed in a shop in Malir area.

KARACHI: At least one person was killed and four sustained injuries in a bomb blast in Malir, Karachi, Express News reported on Monday.

According to initial details, the blast took place in a shop where cement blocks were made. The shop was closed for the last three days due to public holidays.

The bomb comprised 1 kilogramme of explosive material including ball bearings, nut and bolts and was made in juice cans sealed in a cement block.

Police and Rangers reached the area soon after the incident and collected evidence from the site.

The injured were taken to a local hospital and one of them is reportedly in critical condition.

Bomb Disposal Squad also swept the area and declared it clear.

SSP Farooq Awan said the bomb was possibly planted to target a Muharram procession that passed through the area on November 25. He said the attack was averted because of strict security measures taken during Ashura.

The bomb was meant to go off when the Muharram procession passed by, but failed due to the mobile service suspension, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Crime Investigation Department (CID) Chaudhry Aslam.

He said that the bomb was detonated today as the miscreants wanted to get rid of it.

All recent bomb blasts in the city were carried out by the same group and all bombs were placed inside cement blocks, the police claimed.