At least 9 killed as blast targets ANP office in Karachi

KARACHI: At least nine people including a child were killed and over 40 others injured as a blast struck an office of the Awami National Party (ANP) here on Friday, Geo News reported.

According to reports, the bomb went off near an ANP office in Mominabad area where a election corner meeting was about to begin.

Sources said the explosive device detonated minutes before an ANP candidate, Bashir Jan's address, who narrowly escaped the bombing unhurt.

Senator Shahi Syed confirmed that a blast took place near the office in Mominabad area. The dead and injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Dr Azizuddin Shamezai, a brother of late prominent cleric Mufti Nizamuddin Shamezai, was also among the dead. Mr Shamezai was in his clinic when the blast hit the ANP office. Nizamuddin Shamezai was gunned down in Karachi in 2004.

Heavy contingent of police and Rangers rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

The Awami National Party has announced a day of mourning against the blast.

SSP Raja Umar Khattab said that Bashir Jan was the main target of blast.

The police officer said that nature of the blast could not be ascertained due to rubble which piled up in the aftermath of the deadly bombing which also destroyed nearby houses.

Relentless bombings continue to hit Karachi as political parties are busy in canvassing in the run-up for the election.