Firefighters spray water to control a fire in a building after a bomb blast in a residential area in Karachi March 3, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI: Twin blasts occurred on Sunday evening in the Shia-dominated Abbas Town, Karachi, which left at least 40 dead and over 135 injured, Express News reported.
The injured and deceased included women and children.
A car containing explosives was detonated at the entrance of Iqra City and demolished two apartment buildings and nearby shops. Bomb Disposal Squad officials determined that a 150kg device was used.
Many victims were trapped under the rubble as teams worked to rescue them.
Panicked residents had resorted to aerial firing, which made security officials reluctant to approach the site.
A suspect was handed over to Rangers by residents of Abbas Town. He was reported to be from Peshawar and told the police that he had two accomplices on back-up.
Police IG Fayyaz Leghari said a suicide bomber may have been behind the attack.
Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs1.5million in compensation to the families of the victims.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) called for a day of mourning on Monday. The chief minister also announced the same.
All markets and schools will be closed on Monday. Public transport will also be suspended.
This is the second blast that has shaken Abbas Town in the span of four months.
A blast took place in November of last year near an Imambargah in Abbas town, which killed two people and injured over a dozen men, including two Rangers personnel.
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END OF LIVE UPDATES
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8:40pm
Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs1.5 million in compensation for the families of the blast victims, Express News reports.
President Asif Ali Zardari phoned the chief minister to get details on the blasts.
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8:25pm
Death toll has now gone up to 20, while the number of the injured has increased to 70, Express News reports.
Some gas lines in the area have leaked due to the blasts. Sui Gas teams are in place to work on them.
The fire in the area has largely been brought under control.
The blasts were reported to have been heard from nearly 10 kilometres away.
Over 20 shops were also damaged in the blasts.
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8:20pm
Rescue teams are unable to bring heavy machinery into the affected area because of the narrow roads of Abbas Town, Express News reports.
Young volunteers continue to assist the rescue teams in their operation.
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8:13pm
The death toll has risen to 16, Express News reports.
More than 40 flats have been destroyed.
Rescue teams are still working to remove people from under the rubble.
Residents of the area have brought emergency lights and have turned on their car headlights to assist rescue teams, because of the loss of electricity.
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8:05pm
The dead bodies are not recognisable and the injured are in critical condition, Express News reports.
Rescue workers predict that the death toll will continue to rise.
The fire on the 3rd and 4th floors of the affected building have been extinguished.
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8:00pm
The number of people trapped under the debris cannot be determined by rescue teams, Express News reports.
The fire is the main hindrance to the rescue operation, but security officials are also reluctant to approach the site because of angered residents who have taken up arms.
A police mobile used to be posted at the entrance of the residential area, but since it was inadequate, residents had appointed personal guards for their safety.
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7:52pm
The fire brigade is trying to douse the fire and remove victims from the affected flats, Express News reports.
30 to 40 flats reportedly damaged.
The area was reported to have lost electricity.
KESC tweeted that teams had been dispatched to the site to restore electricity.
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7:45pm
The death toll has now increased to ten, Express News reports.
The first blast occurred after a car containing explosives arrived near the Paradise apartments in Abbas Town.
The fire brigade is still trying to contain the fire.
Among the chaos, the panicked public has resorted to aerial firing.
Emergency has been declared in hospitals.
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7:40pm
The five deceased include one woman and one child, Express News reports.
The number of the injured has risen to 60.
Civilians are assisting rescue teams at the site of the blasts.
Some people are still trapped under the rubble.
Four hospitals are being used to treat those who were injured in the twin blasts.
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7:35pm
Death toll has increased to five, which include women and children, Express News reports.
The death toll is likely to rise, according to reports.
Women and children were reported to be among those injured in the blasts.
Two buildings were completely destroyed during the explosions. 20 flats were demolished.
The residents of the area are predominantly Shia Muslims.
Rescue teams have arrived to the scene.
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7:28pm
The process of shifting the injured to hospitals is still ongoing, Express News reports.
The Bomb Disposal Squad is still on their way to the site to determine the cause of the blasts.
Police and security officials have cordoned off the area.
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7:20pm
Two people have died and 18 have been injured, Express News reports.
All of those injured in the blasts have not yet been shifted to hospitals.
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7:10pm
A second blast was heard in Abbas Town.
Windows of nearby buildings reportedly damaged.
The blasts were reported to have occurred on Abul Hasan Isphani Road. Both blasts occured at the entrance of Iqra City.
Witnesses reported seeing a cloud of smoke rising from the site of the blasts.
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7:00pm
The first blast was heard in Abbas Town.
Initial reports suggest that it was due to a planted IED.
Rescue teams were alerted and had left for the site.
COMMENTS (95)
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The only solution is, being a muslim we should unite.
@Zeeshan: You Sir are a true visionary.You forgot to mention RAW& Mossad
@Hard Fact ¦ Bitter Truth: "....When a society is founded on the basic ideology that ” we are different, we cannot be friends with non believers, the other person is not following a book correctly , so is a “kuffar”, My view and path to god is the only true way and you are wrong and will go to hell” then co existence and tolerance cannot be expected. ..." . When the word difference is taken to mean better, then conflicts definitely arise.
What has Hyderabad or India got to do with this. Please dont bring India in everything .
May God give his blessings to the families of the deceased. It is not easy to lose your loved ones. I pray for all
No one can fix this country anymore. Too many internal and external gambits in play. Best option for those who can: Jump Ship! For those who can't: Pray Hard.
Cheers.
@riaz, 10hrs.ago.
Not Saudi Arabia, "Brotherly Islamic country of Saudi Arabia". Pakistan is a country of hypocrites therefore hypocrisy always supersedes.
@kaalchakra:
"I urge all Hindus to stop gloating. Don’t create rifts by painting this in Shia-Sunni terms."
Right. Shia and Sunni have lived happily side by side for years. Today, Hindus are creating rifts.
"We all know who is behind this violence. If you have courage, attack Pakistan directly instead of spreading violence and then gloating from the sidelines."
Please do tell us. Who is behind this violence?
We won't attack Pakistan. We have never attacked Pakistan.
All shiat should come to India. They should ask about Indian Citizenship, even ahmadiya are safe here. Anyway Its final & last time for Pakistan to stop terrorism (inside & outside) May ALLAH (SWT) give strength to poor victim families.
Gulam Rasool "Kuldeep sharma" New Delhi
I think the Saudis through its funding have got us enmeshed in the Sunni-Shia politics of the Middle East. At a deeper level, the Sunni-Shia divide in the Middle East reflects the Arab-Iranian conflict which is 1400 years old. Arabs and Iranians have deep visceral hatred for each other. The rise of Iran and the Iraq-Iran war has just made the Saudis even more paranoid. I don't think Pakistani shias pose any threat to the Saudis but in the deluded Saudi worldview Pakistani Shias are seen as Iranian stooges.
This is carnage! Is Pakistan Govt. not in a position or not willing to provide round the clock protection for minority worship places? Damn those who claim to be muslims and rise against other muslims!
Rex Minor
These types of bloodbaths are designed in some Mad-ressahs.
@Atheist:
"dude, u seem to be the most useless person (indian) in the world… all day nothing to do but to comment on another country’s news site.."
Didn't you know? Shining India is going through recession. In fact, I don't know who pays my internet bills.
@asad: What about them?? So let me get this straight, just because '50+' ulmas were killed in Karachi, this has given you the licence to kill innocent women and children sleeping in their homes?
Shame on you and your extremist warped mind and upbringing!
RAW, stop this non-sense with your friend talibans. And those politicians and mullahs, you are no different than them. RIP who killed and feeling same pain and sorrow as their families. May Allah give you all patience and peace, Amen.
Saudi Arabia in action once again!
I am a Sunni Muslim and I stand together with my Shia brothers and sisters at this moment of crises. God willing we shall get rid of these extremists. Amen
@kaalchakra:
Please ask Google Uncle before publishing and figures and facts.
Each person killed in Hydrabad (India) was given Indian rupees 8 lakhs (6 lakh from state govenment and 2 lakh from central government) which is more than 15 lakh Pakistani rupees as Indian rupee is almost double in value compared to Pakistan rupee. Additionally the wounded were given less than 8 lakh compensation but government promised to take care of their medical expenses.
Ask Google uncle if this is true or not?
Have you stopped reading Expres tribune as well?
http://tribune.com.pk/story/510580/bomb-blast-rocks-indias-hyderabad/
@ shoaib They can only say this town attacked!!!!
True.... But the fact can not be negated that all those who got killed were shias. All that is needed - to strengthen the national fabric.. There is nothing as such shia-sunni divide in the country as they are living harmoniously elsewhere in the country; they have lived united since time immemorial. However, no one should be made to think that they are being targeted.. State must protect life of each and every citizen.
Its funny how pakistanis used to taunt Indians for blaming everything on ISI and now look at pakistanis, daily blaming something or other to RAW/CIA/MOSSAD.....what goes around comes back around
I urge all Hindus to stop gloating. Don't create rifts by painting this in Shia-Sunni terms. We all know who is behind this violence. If you have courage, attack Pakistan directly instead of spreading violence and then gloating from the sidelines. Both Shias and Sunnis will make you regret your decision to interfere in Pakistan.
@Hyder: Now we can understand what the US senator said about India financing terrorist attacks in Pakistan!
Dear Pakistanis
Please enjoy Pak vs South Africa match.
Its just a blast in Shia residential area, some casualties and 40 flats and some 150 shops are destroyed.
Rest is fine. Keep enjoying the match!!
I highly recommend Shias of Pakistan should leave this country!! Shia genocide will not stop here.
Media is promoting hatred by projecting news as Shia Dominated community attacked.. They can only say this town attacked!!!! Shame on you media!!!
Some people call calling this Shia-Sunni divide, I say that it is an insult to a sunni to call these taliban as sunni. You have to be human first before becoming something else.
Many people are calling these barbarians animals. I say that it is an insult to animals to call Taliban animals they are are pure shaitaan
I have said it before and I'll say it again: Mullahs are an existential threat to Pakistan.
Shias need to condemn the killing of madressah students in Karachi too .
@kaalchakra: For the Hyderabad blasts Indian government is giving 6 lakh to every victim. Also, since the blasts were in a Hindu locality named Dilsukhnagar, most victims of the blasts were Hindus, though most Indian newspapers don't distinguish based on caste or religion and so you won't find specific mention of the same. Please don't spread lies.
Hearty condolences to the victims of Karachi blasts. We Indians stand by all our Pakistani brothers.
very sorry to hear that... Rehman Malik said that something is going to happen in Karachi....now its time to grab him and ask him who those terrorist are !
why talking to taliban, they should be crushed out enough is enough plz
@Ayaz Ali Jamali Crime Anal: No Muslim can hurt Muslim or Non-muslim we are making minds limited to mankind in the race of worldly life lost honour respect and glory for man made system rule of guns.
This is the funniest part of your statement
thank you government for providing us security. don’t worry we will again vote you
Bomb blast in Karachi, 35 people die and your top story is cricket. One can understand you want to get away from depressing news but this is a bit much. Very insensitive.
@HK: No dude, you are alone! Everyone likes to hear about shia killings.
@Manju: You mean "Indian Strategic Assets." Finaly you admit the handiwork of your country.
First of all, my condolence to those family members who lost their loved one's in this deplorable attack.
Secondly, "Panicked residents had resorted to aerial firing." Why would you do this? I guess only in Pakistan do people resort to more violence when a violent attack occurs.
2 religion theory is now so old. How about 2-sect theory ?
The intelligence agencies have proved to be a failure - and by implication the army. If u cant protect the internals, how can u ever be expected to save us from an external threat.
@Yoghurt lover: dude, u seem to be the most useless person (indian) in the world... all day nothing to do but to comment on another country's news site..
@COAS Kiyani.: What is it or who is causing this? A dream, drone or the distrustful non-believers or die-hard believers? Or is it the detoxification effects of draw down of forces across the Durand Line?
Wonder what Mr Jinnah would have felt seeing the condition of Pakistan !!!. He separated India saying Muslims are not safe in India. So today all (expect some minorities) are Muslims but there is no peace. It shows his flawed principle!!
@I want Change: I am sorry. I can understand how you feel.
I hope better sense prevails among your politicians but more importantly establishment who realize that there is no choice but to shut down these factories of hate and there is no such thing as a good terrorist.
I hope God gives strength to the family members of those that have lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those that are injured.
Shias seriously needs some sort of outside help .. UN should intervene and peace keeping troops should be deployed imminently our security forces and agencies have proved to be a total waste.
I want change,
1.5 million is not small change, it is much bigger 500 given to Muslims of Hyderabad in Deccan killed by Hindus in India. Be grateful you live in Pakistan, not among Hindus who would have given people real taste of violence. It's time to join hands and not point fingers or assign blame at Shia Sunni or different groups. Pakistanis have been killed, not anybody else targeted.
It is indeed tragic that one particular community is being targeted and govt is taking no measures for their protection despite the fact that the killers are well known including their hide-outs. Its being alleged that security forces are also supporting these sectarian forces which makes the matter even worse and would lead more chaotic condition. It so appears that some forces are working within Pakistan who do not want the elections to take place by creating an anarchy in the country.
Shame on ET for not printing my comments asking Zardari to resign. He has failed the nation.
one more blast
No suo motto.. No Blasphemy justice by the crowd. No holiday. No fatwa. Pakistan needs to change its corrupt system to accountable system. They need to become secular also.
I am a sunni and I hate this massacre
Why our security establishment and PML(N) not taking action against LEJ???? WHY WHY WHY?
I mourn this day. I am sunni but I love my shia brothers/sisters.
How come motorbike can contain such a huge explosive material???there was something else
I see many mentally retarded people passing comments like 'revenge'...and ...like "about Ulemas"...These mentally retarded people have no vision. They can not see that shia/sunni violence is promoted by US/NATO/CIA. They are causing utmost mess in our country as they are close to leave Afghanistan soon. They have ripped many bombs through LEJ who are paid well by them. We are a mentally retarded nation who is also suffering from lack of true leadership and sincere administration, thinks that shia are killing sunnis and vice versa. This is height of blindness. You people can't see that Pakistan is paying the price for taking decisions which are in its national interest. When Gawadar given to China we saw blast. And when IP Gas pipeline agreement signed we see another here.
PML(N) is not taking any action against LEJ who are safely residing in their Head Quarters all over the Punjab. Its not that Punjabis are against Sindhis or anyone else. Its that our leadership has no love and care for the nation.
Above all its a shame and sheer ignorance to call that sunni is taking revenge or vice versa. People must understand that UNITY is best weapon we have now.
Pakistan should wipe out all terror outfits from its own soil if they want to live happily and in peace. But who has the courage to do it?
Just yesterday Afghanistan’s Tolonews reported that the head of the Pakistan Ulema Council Alama Tahir Ashrafi said in an interview with them he supported suicide bombing targeting Israel, India and Afghanistan.
See here: http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks
How many more Karachi like incidents will it take before folk and clerics in Pakistan like Alama Tahir Ashrafi pay heed to Mrs. Hillary Clintons advise that “you can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.”?
The performance of LEA during this govt tenure is alarming. Some heads should roll which were given unnecessary extensions.
Shias of Pakistan. We are with you. I am sure these words are supported by every sunni in Pakistan.
@Syed A. Mateen: We have RAW sponsored terror in Pakistan
@Manju: Yes RAW doing its usual terrorism in Pakistan.
why don't govt operate its machinery against the terrorist forces like TTP and lashkar e jhangvi, i have the answer for that, its matter of the few seats of the khyber pakhtunkhuwa, however kp is being dominated by the people who belonging to the deobandi sector, specially linked with militants groups like sipah sahaba, and lashkar e jhangvi,........ election is round the corner, no party will want to take the action against these militants, does not matter if they kill the innocent human beings.
pak army is all set to have the orders to elimate the talibaans, but they don't want to be the first unit who take the initiative of this lethal operation. army wants the consensus among the political leader ships of pakistan. ANP was being the voice raiser against TTP that they will not talk with militants but to fire them, encounter them, now ANP itself set the mind for negotiations with the talibaans to secure few seats. Ayaz bukhari
two blast are out come of APC/KSA/USA/UK/NATO together for Shia genocide to stop Iran-Pak relation and gas pipeline.So more to come when own people are involve for others interest.Quetta shura has moved to Karachi out of Governor rule.All courts,int agencies,police, security forces and army has to chance into brutal force otherwise countries gang up will destroy our country.
Would you still call pakistan a country?? it's time to cleanse pakistan of its politicians, rogues, and so called assets..
Kill us! We will rise up even more. Imam Khomeni (ra)
I exactly live infront of that place where bomb is blasted, every single glass of home is blasted and police and rangers are doing nothing and just standing as spectators. Rs.1.5 million for every vitcim, is this what responsibility of CM Sindh?
There is only one true path and we all need to unite for peace.
Police reached at the site of the blast as the entire city Police is deputed in the engagement ceremony of PPP's Advisor to CM, Sharmila Farooqi at Mohatta Palace in Clifton area.
PM is busy in the Mohatta Palace as the would be husband of Sharmila Farooqi is the Secretary of PPP Chairmam, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and all the high government officials are at the Mohatta Palace to please Sharmila Farooqi and her would be husband.
This is how the government officials set their priorities.
SHAME ON ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
To attend engagement ceremony is more important than looking after the dead and injured people of Abbas Town of Karachi.
What a sad but repeat occurrence of genocide and ethnic cleansing. It is sick to know that some people still do not blame the TTP, and other terrorist Whabi groups but call it a foreign conspiracy. I don't think that majority of Sunni Muslims are bothered at all by these killings and targeting of Shia. Let us bring in PML-N and PTI leaders and show them what is happening and yet they are talking about acknowledging the talks with TTP on equal terms.
As our opponents try to finish us, the name of hussainiyat is getting more and more strengthen. condolences to them.
Hal minaasu yansur'na.
salwaaat. Mohammad.s.a.w wa ale mohammad.s.a.w
What is the progress on the latest suo motto?
@Phrontiste: Everyone knows this "whoever" is LeJ, with strong bastion in the southern Punjab, being guarded by the Punjab government. PML-N's leadership has yet to come clean on this. Till this point they have refused to condemn these terrorists, while its law minister taking pride in photo-ops with the head of the banned organization.
Terrorist acts by all is to be condemned and the armed wings of all the sectarian and political parties must be eliminated.
However, I would request readers to please go thru the news item published in Daily Express where investigative story revealed that Agencies have identified 3 guns as being used commonly to kill ppl belonging to both the sects and even have murdered MQM and ANP affiliates... Clearly showing that someone is trying to divide us...
My request... Please stand united... You may read the item on following link:
http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/index.aspx?Issue=NPKHI&Page=BackPage008&Date=20130220&Pageno=8&View=1
Please paste complete link on URL without gap
@CK
so you agree that Hyderabad blasts were carried out by Pakistanis?
Well Pakistanis, don't be surprised.
There was another article glorifying the Mughal rule of India.
This is exactly how the Mughals ruled India.
Difference is, they did not have guns or bombs. They had swords and spheres.
Time to against terror hide outs in Punjab.
Extremely sad news.......There is an urgent need to instill some confidence in the Shia population of Pakistan, by cracking down on such terrorist groups, or this would lead to another secessionist movement on the lines of Baluchistan
Co existence comes when the basic ideology followed is that of “acceptance of the other “with different views on culture, religious beliefs and every other aspect of life. Acceptance here does not mean simply “tolerating” a different view.When a society is founded on the basic ideology that ” we are different, we cannot be friends with non believers, the other person is not following a book correctly , so is a “kuffar”, My view and path to god is the only true way and you are wrong and will go to hell” then co existence and tolerance cannot be expected. The society will and is bound to remain in a constant state of conflict. There will always have to be some person, group or ideology to take the place of the “other” so as to provide a means to express the hate, intolerance and bigotry.
Well whoever is doing this is the biggest terrorist ... Our rangers and police are standing awaiting orders
Prime minister should sack this police force
Rest in peace all who have died and many people will be homeless
And still APC wants negotiations. Is this a kind of welcome gesture for the negotiations geture?
GOD save Pakistan
Nathan
its not just shia killings!! ulemas are being killed.. ahl-e-sunnat being targeted and many others.. . . its an act of dividing us .. . no idea who's involved extremists from both sides with some foreign hands!!!! this shud be stopped ...its been enufff!!! but it doesnt seem so... !!!
We cannot sacrifice our honor and dignity for the sake of prosperity.
We have mentally sick people in Pakistan and their job is to conduct terrorist activities and kill the innocent people.
This is an open challenge for the sitting government and the incoming government as how to deal with such mentally sick people?
Why some political leaders can negotiate with TTP, can't some one also speak and negotiate a peace deal with the mentally sick people?
@hywaaniat: sponsered extremiat groups. And so the delusions shall continue to persist! No matter what! Even if the almightly would present in self and say stop this thought process and the carnage, it seems as though the conscience and the intelligence of an ordinary Pakistani has gone into a never ending slumber... God bless Pakistan and give its people some insight that hate ultimately burns the self....
As Karachi burns, many trapped in a burning building with no way out, some shameless retards are celebrating fall of South African wickets
This country is no more a place to live.
These innocent men, women and children should be killed, just because they are Shia? And we call our country a free country! When one does not have the security of life and freedom of belief, why would he vote for some other political party when each and everyone of them think with their pockets!
We condemn massacre of masses by engineered mafia which has introduced politics of terrorism a new trend no check and balance on direct and indirect policy of World nations just obey they demand in the shape of NATO & ISAF, IMF, UNO for pharaoh rules deviated sectarian, racial and tribal system where no man survive peaceful. No Muslim can hurt Muslim or Non-muslim we are making minds limited to mankind in the race of worldly life lost honour respect and glory for man made system rule of guns.
RIP :(
'Strategic assets' and their 'Strategic work'!!