2 killed in blast near Bohra community mosque in Karachi
As per initial reports bomb was planted on a motorcycle outside Saleh Mosque
People inspect the blast site in Aram Bagh area of Karachi. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
At least two people were killed and seven others wounded after a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded outside a Bohra community mosque in Karachi on Friday, police said.
The blast took place in Saleh Mosque in the congested Aram Bagh area.
A police spokesperson said two were killed in the blast and seven wounded.
Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.
Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP
"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.
Umer Khatab, a senior officer at the police Counter Terrorism Department, told reporters that about two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the bomb, which was detonated with a timer.
"The bomb was planted to target the people coming out of the mosque," Khatab said.
Police officials inspect the site. PHOTO: AFP
Many worshippers in bloodstained clothes gathered outside the mosque, searching for relatives.
The blast ripped through the shutters of several nearby shops and shattered windows.
Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP
The attack was the first on a Bohra mosque in Karachi since an incident three years ago, in which seven people were killed.
Karachi, a city of 18 million, is rife with criminal, ethnic, political and sectarian killings, which claim hundreds of lives each year.
4:0opm: Eyewitness account
Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.
"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.
3:1opm: Motorcycle registration details
According to police, the motorcycle on which the explosives were planted was registered in the name of a resident of Kemari in Karachi.
However, it is yet to be ascertained whether the motorcycle was stolen.
3:00pm: Four injured discharged
Four injured have been discharged from Civil Hospital while one critically injured is going through surgery, according to Express News.
A few weeks ago, an unidentified person opened fire at shops owned by Bohra community in Karachi's Bahadurabad area.
2:50pm: 2 dead
Another person has succumbed to his injuries bringing the death toll to two. The deceased has been identified as Hasnain.
CID incharge Raja Omar Khatatk confirmed the death toll.
2:49pm: Leaflet reportedly found from blast site
2:42pm: Civil Hospital emergency sealed
The emergency ward of Civil Hospital has been sealed and relatives of the injured are not being allowed inside, Express News reports.
2:36pm: One killed
The body of one person has been brought to Civil Hospital, according to Express News.
The deceased has been identified as Shabbir Hussain.
2:30pm: Two kg of explosives used: SSP South
SSP South claims two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, according to Express News.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:27pm: Sindh chief minister condemns blast
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah condemning the blast, has sought a report from DIG Sindh.
2:20pm: Time device explosives
According to initial reports, time device explosives were used in the blast.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:14pm: Ten injured
The number of injured has now risen to 10, according to Express News.
However, DIG South says only 4 people have been injured.
2:10pm: One dead: unconfirmed reports
As per an unconfirmed report, one man has been killed in the explosion.
2:09pm: Occurred after prayers
The blast occurred as people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers, according to our correspondent Faraz Khan.
2:07pm: Eight injured
Eight people have been injured and are being shifted to Burhani Hospital.
2:05pm: Area cordoned off
Following the blast, security forces have cordoned off the area.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:03pm: Three injured
Three people have been injured and shifted to Civil Hospital.
2:00pm: Motorcycles, shops damaged
Several motorcycles damaged and windows of nearby shops have been broken due to the impact of the blast.
Express News screengrab of blast site
1:55pm: Bomb planted on a motorcycle
As per initial reports, the bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked near the mosque.
1:52pm: Rescue teams reach site of blast
Police and rescue teams have reached the site of the blast.
At least two people were killed and seven others wounded after a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded outside a Bohra community mosque in Karachi on Friday, police said.
The blast took place in Saleh Mosque in the congested Aram Bagh area.
A police spokesperson said two were killed in the blast and seven wounded.
Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.
Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP
"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.
Umer Khatab, a senior officer at the police Counter Terrorism Department, told reporters that about two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the bomb, which was detonated with a timer.
"The bomb was planted to target the people coming out of the mosque," Khatab said.
Police officials inspect the site. PHOTO: AFP
Many worshippers in bloodstained clothes gathered outside the mosque, searching for relatives.
The blast ripped through the shutters of several nearby shops and shattered windows.
Volunteers transport victims to a hospital. PHOTO: AFP
The attack was the first on a Bohra mosque in Karachi since an incident three years ago, in which seven people were killed.
Karachi, a city of 18 million, is rife with criminal, ethnic, political and sectarian killings, which claim hundreds of lives each year.
4:0opm: Eyewitness account
Saifud Din, a witness, said people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers when there was a huge blast and many people fell on the ground.
"I was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded and I saw people falling to the ground," Din told AFP.
3:1opm: Motorcycle registration details
According to police, the motorcycle on which the explosives were planted was registered in the name of a resident of Kemari in Karachi.
However, it is yet to be ascertained whether the motorcycle was stolen.
3:00pm: Four injured discharged
Four injured have been discharged from Civil Hospital while one critically injured is going through surgery, according to Express News.
A few weeks ago, an unidentified person opened fire at shops owned by Bohra community in Karachi's Bahadurabad area.
2:50pm: 2 dead
Another person has succumbed to his injuries bringing the death toll to two. The deceased has been identified as Hasnain.
CID incharge Raja Omar Khatatk confirmed the death toll.
2:49pm: Leaflet reportedly found from blast site
2:42pm: Civil Hospital emergency sealed
The emergency ward of Civil Hospital has been sealed and relatives of the injured are not being allowed inside, Express News reports.
2:36pm: One killed
The body of one person has been brought to Civil Hospital, according to Express News.
The deceased has been identified as Shabbir Hussain.
2:30pm: Two kg of explosives used: SSP South
SSP South claims two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, according to Express News.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:27pm: Sindh chief minister condemns blast
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah condemning the blast, has sought a report from DIG Sindh.
2:20pm: Time device explosives
According to initial reports, time device explosives were used in the blast.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:14pm: Ten injured
The number of injured has now risen to 10, according to Express News.
However, DIG South says only 4 people have been injured.
2:10pm: One dead: unconfirmed reports
As per an unconfirmed report, one man has been killed in the explosion.
2:09pm: Occurred after prayers
The blast occurred as people were coming out of the mosque after Friday prayers, according to our correspondent Faraz Khan.
2:07pm: Eight injured
Eight people have been injured and are being shifted to Burhani Hospital.
2:05pm: Area cordoned off
Following the blast, security forces have cordoned off the area.
Express News screengrab of blast site
2:03pm: Three injured
Three people have been injured and shifted to Civil Hospital.
2:00pm: Motorcycles, shops damaged
Several motorcycles damaged and windows of nearby shops have been broken due to the impact of the blast.
Express News screengrab of blast site
1:55pm: Bomb planted on a motorcycle
As per initial reports, the bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked near the mosque.
1:52pm: Rescue teams reach site of blast
Police and rescue teams have reached the site of the blast.