The car of the minister fell into a drain as a result of the blast.
KARACHI: At least 11 people killed, including children, and26 people were injured when a bomb went off outside a packed football ground in the densely populated area of Lyari in Karachi early on Wednesday morning, Express News reported.
Prominent Lyari resident and MPA Sania Naz claimed that blast occurred when footballers and members of the crowd were leaving ground after the Ramazan Football Tournament came to an end.
The apparent target of the blast was Provincial Minister for Kutchi Abadis and Spatial Development Jawaid Nagori. He was also the chief guest at tournament and was reportedly injured in the blast.
According to Peoples Youth Committee president Shabbir Khan the bomb went off just as the minister along with the players and members of the crowd were exiting the stadium after the prize distribution ceremony.
Express News correspondent Aslam Khan said that explosives material had been planted in a motorcycle.
As a result of the blast, minister's car was also destroyed, and the paving on which it was parked gave way as well.
The injured and the dead were shifted to the Lyari General Hospital, Civil Hospital and Jinnah Hospital. Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan said that doctors had removed pieces of metal and ball bearings from the injured. The majority of the dead and injured included children between the ages of six and 16. Some were even still in their football kits.
Bomb disposal squad said that the explosives were detonated using remote control.
"The bomb was planted on a motorbike that was parked outside the stadium, killing seven, many of them teenage boys," police official Tariq Dharejo told AFP. He confirmed that the bomb was a remote controlled device.
This is not the first attack on Jawaid Nagori. He was previously attacked during his election campaign in May this year.
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It’s heartbreaking to hear when children are killed in senseless attacks. We have seen innocent people being targeted and killed during the holy month of Ramadan. It makes one wonder; do the terrorists even care about the sanctity of this blessed month of ‘peace’? Children are the future of any nation, but the terrorists have been killing Pakistani children with bombs and in some cases turning them into live bombs. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the loved ones of all killed in this ruthless bombing. We again reiterate that mutual cooperation will allow us to get rid of the menace of terrorism in the region. We need to remain unified against those who continue to work against our peace objectives in the region.
Abdul Quddus DET-United States Central Command
@ Umer The bomb blast in Anarkali Food Market last month , bomb blast in Shalimar express the other day and beefed up security arrangements in and around Islamabad are bold indications of spillover of terror attacks to Punjab.
Very sad - R.I.P. all those who lost their lives yesterday and who have been ruthlessly losing their lives in the violence across the country.
agreed with you subhan, atleast dont kill innocent children dont they have there own kids @Subhan Tariq:
Jawaid Nagori - We all hope ur safe...and survived the second blast. Proper safety was provided to you.. these children who died didnt deserve this security which you had. you are more important and privileged. Hope Mr. Jawaid is at least sorry for the kids and have his precious time to pray for people who died cause of him.
so sad...
Extremely sad & tragic ! cannot even imagine what the family of those children who lost their lives must be going through. Our govt has become immune to such incidents , we are indeed a very unfortunate nation.
A serious action needs to be taken now. Nothing is safe now in Pakistan esp Karachi. Killing young footballers? are u seriously that demented?
Even new govt is failed to curb these terrorist activities. they are more interested in constructing motorway from karachi to lahore rather than developing strategy to tackle on going terrorist activities in these cities. There are two possibilities only, either the law and enforcement agencies are badly failed to protect the citizens of Pakistan OR they are also the part of this game and supporting these terrorists..........
Liyari gang land must be purged of the criminals who corruption party has raised and patronized to extraxt money for feudals
Simply heart breaking to see so many innocent lives are lost through act of terror.......I guess the perpetrators are very low life animals who are bloodthirsty.
Why do all bomb blasts occur outside Punjab? And where is PM when you need him?
and some of us still thinks negotiating with these inhumane would be best option. Disgusting! Felt sorry for the lost in the blessed month of Ramazan. No government writ in Pakistan.
In the country where there is WAR nothing is safe
NS on umra, cabinet probably in aitikaaf, PPP government indifferent, IK under some illusion. In 60 days NS have visited China and SA but didn't have time to chalk out anti terrorism policy.
Where is government?who is providing safety and security to citizens? The provincial government should submit resignation
This means no more sports in Pakistan, or that Ministers should not go to such events so that the public and players remain safe.
8 kids lost their lives in Lyari blast. RIP you angels future of this country that's unfortunately petering out leaving dark smoke. Evil act of of violence, killing innocents in the holy month of Ramadan.