Two killed, several injured in Karachi blast

KARACHI: At least two people were killed and ten others sustained injuries in a powerful explosion under the Quaidabad flyover, Karachi on Friday.

Talking to media, SSP Malir Irfan Bahadur said the blast took place under the Quaidabad flyover in a crowded area of the locality, adding that the investigation has been launched into the incident to ascertain the exact nature and cause of the explosion. The police have cordoned off the area to look for clues related to the blast.

The bomb disposal squad (BDS) also rushed the site to assist the police and found another 400-500 grams bomb from the site during the operation, which according to official was prepared in a lunch box and linked with an IED device.

However, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in-charge Raja Umer Khitab late on Friday confirmed  that the explosives were used in the blast, saying  it is  yet to ascertain the  nature of the explosion, adding the BDS had found a device from the site which was sent to the laboratory for determination of  its type.

Rescue services reached the scene and shifted the victims of the blast to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where Dr Seemi Jamali at has confirmed the death of two people in the incident. She added that some of the injured were in critical condition at the hospital.

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.