At least two dead, multiple injured in Karachi blast

KARACHI: At least two persons were killed and 10 injured Friday as a powerful explosion hit the Quaidabad area of Karachi, police authorities said.

Police disclosed the identity of one of the deceased as Pappu son of Mushtaq; while the injured include Rasheed Rafique, Mushtaq Bilal,  Haq Nawaz, Siddiq Dawood, Arsalan Tariq, Allah Ditta, Qamar Abbas, Shahabud din, Munir and Shahid.

SSP Malir Irfan Bahadur said the blast took place under the Quaidabad flyover near a crowded area of the locality. He said the police were still trying to ascertain the exact nature and cause of the explosion.

Dr Seemi Jamali at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) confirmed the death toll. She said that five wounded persons were in critical condition at the hospital.

Power supply to the surrounding areas was disrupted following the powerful explosion, which could be heard from a distance.

According to information received to Geo News, the blast took place at a crowded place where several vendors set up their stalls.

Police have cordoned off the site and are looking for any clues.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the additional inspector-general of Sindh police.

Police diffuse second bomb  

The bomb disposal squad in its surveillance after the incident found another bomb, weighing 400-500 grams, from the site of the incident, sources informed Geo News.

The bomb present in a tiffin was diffused in a nearby ground after a close review to avoid any unfortunate development, said police officials present on the site.

Police said that a timing device was also attached to the bomb.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces were present during the time of diffusion. 

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Incharge Raja Umar Khattab said that the police is yet to ascertain the implosives used in the blast, while speaking to the press.  

The CTD chief said that the force will share information after the final review of bomb disposal squad.  

"We will be able to share more details after the chemical examination of the explosives," he added.