6 killed, 28 injured in Karachi blast

Explosive material weighing 8 to 10kgs was used, while timed IED device was planted in a rickshaw.

KARACHI: Six people were killed while 28 others sustained injuries in an explosion in the Delhi Colony area of Karachi, Express News reported on Friday.

According to initial reports from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), explosive material weighing eight to 10 kilogrammes was used, while the timed IED device was planted in a rickshaw, loaded with ball bearings and nut blots.

IG Sindh Iqbal Mehmood has expressed doubt that the intended target of the attack may have been a bus that had just left an imambargah in the area.

According to police officials, the device exploded with a delay of a minute to a minute and a half.

While four people had initially died, two later succumbed to their injuries, raising the toll to six.



4:15pm

IG Sindh Iqbal Mehmood says explosive device was made such that it had unidirectional impact and expresses doubt that a bus that was carrying passengers on their way from an imambargah may have been the target of the attack.

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3:50pm

IG Sindh Iqbal Mehmood says explosive device was planted in a rickshaw.

IG Sindh says investigation team has been constituted, which will be headed by DIG South. The team will include CID personnel.

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3:43pm

CID in-charge Raja Umar Khattab says 8 kilogrammes of explosives were used.

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3:40pm

Sindh health minister says no child or woman injured in the explosion.

CID in-charge says the it was not a suicide attack.

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3:38pm

Sindh health minister assures injured will be provided with necessary health treatment.

DIG South says six motorbikes were destroyed in the blast.

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3:35pm

Sindh health minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed confirms that four people were killed in the explosion.

Ahmed says 30 people sustained injuries, five of whom are in critical condition.

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3:32pm

The sound of the explosion was heard within 5km radius.

The bomb disposal squad is still assessing the situation and there is no confirmation of the exact nature of explosion.

One of damaged cars belonged to the official of Peoples Housing Scheme.

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3:38pm

DIG South says three cars and a rickshaw were destroyed in the blast.

According to initial investigation, the explosive material was planted on a motorbike.

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3:25pm

Memon says Sindh Cultural Secretary Saqib Soomro's car was also damaged in the attack. Soomro was not inside the car at the time of the explosion.

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3:23pm

Sindh information minster Sharjeel Inam Memon has visited the blast site. Condemning the incident, Memon said terrorist attacks have escalated in Sindh.

Memon said the target was the state vehicles parked in the area.

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3:20pm

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the blast.

The injured include a woman.

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3:08pm

The blast took place outside a mosque and a carpet showroom was reportedly the target of the attack. Several cars, including two state vehicles, were damaged in the explosion.

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah has requested the IGP for a report on the incident.

Eye witnesses said a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the cars. The exact nature of the explosion, however, could not be confirmed at the moment.

A heavy contingent of police and Rangers officer has reached the blast site and cordoned off the area.