A bomb disposal squad member defuses an explosive device found near the site of a bomb outside the Rangers Headquarters in Korangi on Thursday. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AZEEM/EXPRESS
Army and Rangers officials were returning to the area after by-elections in the NA-254 constituency had ended when a planted explosive device went off. Army and Rangers personnel were among those injured.
Security forces surrounded the area immediately after the blast.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Ahmed reported that the injured are now being shifted to the Indus Hospital located near the area. Officials with serious injuries are being taken to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi.
One army personnel succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
Express News bureau chief Aslam Khan said that earlier DIG East Tahir Naveed had claimed that a second explosive device weighing between eight and ten kilogrammes found 300 meters from the site of the first blast, had been defused. However, SP Asif Ali later informed Express News that while the device had been discovered, jammers had been deployed before the bomb disposal squad could move in.
Chief Minister Sindh has asked the IG for an immediate report on the incident.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the blast. While MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who's party candidate was leading the polls in the area, also condemned the blast.
This is not the first time a Rangers office has been attacked. At least eight Rangers personnel were wounded in an attack on their office near Nazimabad in Karachi on June 5.
This is the same area where a firing incident in the nearby Bilal Colony killed Awami National Party (ANP) candidate and his four-year-old son on May 3.
Note: This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
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@ US CENTCOM, Be ready to stay even after 2014 but tnis time as a guest of Pakistan .
you can do whatever but unless you have local policing, nothing will work out.
Poor guy is trying to defuse the bomb without proper body armour. Though he is wearing a west but has no protection for his head and limbs.
This is really tragic. This nation and its leaders really need to do a soul searching and fix the country's direction.
i must blame pti for this becoz they make mqm winning NA-254
Only cowards use brainwashed suicide bombers to do their evil deeds. We condemn the attack on the Rangers’ Headquarters and send our condolences to the loved ones of the innocent bystander who was killed in this heinous attack. We also pray for full and fast recovery of all the soldiers injured. This common enemy is on the run and therefore they commit these attacks out of desperation. The pressure on the terrorists should be kept on so they give up their ideology of hate and destruction. That is the only way peace will return to the region.
Abdul Quddus DET-United States Central Command
It seems ET staff gets some special kick with the images they use with these kind of events. These kind of images are not necessary to convey the new.
This is an inhuman act which I condem very strongly.
Rangers are here to save the lives and properties of the people and attack on them should not be tolerated by any means.
The Police should find out as who are the main culprits and they should be severely punished.
These sort of incidents should be stopped by all means.
May Al-Mighty Allah rest the soul of the deceased person in peace.
Aameen