As many as 47 people were killed and more than 50 sustained injuries in a bombing at the entrance of Al-Mustafa Imambargah situated on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road on Sunday.
A fire broke out after a gas pipeline which was supplying gas to nearby apartments exploded and electricity poles were uprooted.
Teams of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) and Karachi Electric Supply Company reached at the spot and suspended gas and electricity supply to the residential apartments. Several vehicles parked on the road were also damaged badly.
“At least 30 people including women were killed in this blast,” Sindh Inspector General (IG) Fayyaz Leghari told Pakistan Today. “I cannot say exactly that it was a suicide or remote-controlled blast as the enraged people do not allow the law enforcers to enter in the area.”
The IG added the law enforcers reached the scene soon after the bombing but some unidentified people opened fire on them.
“Now police and paramilitary forces had entered in the area and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) teams were collecting evidences,” he added.
“It was the city’s second biggest bombing after the explosion that took place at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters few years back,” said CID SSP (Investigation Wing) Mazhar Mashwani. “Two hundred kilogrammes of explosives with ball bearings and nut, bolts were used in this attack.”
He added that that it was a remote-controlled blast which was planted in a four-wheeler.”
“We have found engine of a four-wheeler from the spot, but it will be clear later whether this was engine of that vehicle which was used in the blast,” Mashwani added.
According to a preliminary report, it was said that 150 kilogramme of explosives were used in the explosion. However, the reasons behind the blast were not mentioned in the preliminary report.
The Sindh health secretary said, “An emergency has been declared in all government hospitals of the city and leaves of the staffers have been cancelled.” He also said, “The hospitals have been directed to provide immediate treatment to the injured of the blast.”
So far 21 bodies, including that of a woman, were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), said JPMC Deputy Director Dr Seemi Jamali.
“The rescue operation is going on. However, I fear that the death toll will rise further,” Dr Jamali added.
“11 bodies, including a woman, and 20 injured were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) so far,” said Medical Superintendent (MS) Nadeem Rajput. “Three critically injured were admitted in ICU while others were discharged after medical treatment.”
“Nine bodies and seven injured were rushed to Patel Hospital,” said administrator of the hospital. “Later, the injured were moved to public hospitals.” Three bodies each were taken to Aga Khan University Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital and one body was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi so far.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced a day of mourning on Monday (today) across the province. He also announced that all public educational institutions would remain close on Monday. He announced Rs 1.5 million for heirs of the victims and Rs 1 million for the injured.
Security of Red Zone and all government buildings and offices has been beefed up.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro cancelled all visitor passes for Sindh Assembly’s Monday (today) session. He announced that members of the provincial assembly and journalists would be allowed to attend the assembly session on Monday (today).
The All Karachi Tajir Ittehad has announced to keep their businesses closed on Monday (today). The All Pakistan Goods Transport Association announced a suspension in supply on Monday. The Concerned Citizens of Pakistan condemned the attack on Shias in Karachi.
The Karachi Bar Council (KBC) also announced a boycott of under-trial courts on Monday. The Jafferia Alliance has given a strike call in Karachi for today. The Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen has given a three-day mourning call in Karachi.
President Asif Zardari, PM Raja Pervez Ashraf, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, ANP leadership expressed grave concern over the bombing.