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.
So called democracy government cant do anything as usual and only limited to words and enjoying vvips where these this so called democratic selfish government leaved nation on terrorists mercy.The colorfulness minister rehman malik also responsible because even he have information and fails to control terrorists before acting.There is no doubt that Pakistan,s enemies are involved in terrorism and taking advantage of weak government but responsible government to protect citizens against any treats internally or externally.There is question on Pakistan,s future if such situation continues weak and failed government exists.
Th.ese were not Shias but the innocent humans and the muslims. Karachi suffers what Altaf Hussain and his MQM associates started twenty years ago.
please refrain from using shias as the place is near my residential place and more sunnis died than shias. treat this as human tragedy.dont act as fuel on fire. people must know who ar behined the sectarian divide. common man suffers. Its not about MQM and Altaf Hussain also. try to live here than ull come to knowwhat it feels.shame to people who create differences between humans. may Allah guide us to the true path
May God bless the souls and give the souls to alive who are doing this….this is inhuman….
Hoor chupooo "Jamwhoriat"
Whole security where busy on vip engagement and peoples where left without security and thats how we see all the time of this cruel,nation blood sucker so called democratic government and also selfish leaders they are worried about election and enjoying parties.One of worst government in Pakistan,s history.In Pakistan everything is polluted with politics so how can be this country peace and move forward if such kinds of self leaders?.There is no country in world having such situation where enemies are enjoying safe heavens and can do what ever they want.Nation also responsible because electing wrong leaders for few money and then suffers for years this Pakistan!
Resign Gen. Kayani you are responsible for this carnage!
By the way how much did Zardari buy you for?
You are the architect of NRO! Shame on all of you!!!
shame less goverment and shame also 2 all politicians
I agree. . .I find the title of this article inappropriate. . .it was human lives that were lost – emphasizing the sect of the people whose lives were lost as the title of this article does only reinforces sectarian sentiments.
While Karachi burned there was no police and FC there for hours. Why should they come? As long is Karachi is occupied by police and FC from Punjab they would not give a shit how many people of Karachi got killed or died. Why do we have get police from Punjab to keep law and order in Karachi? We are trying to do the same thing as East Pakistan where we were the occupier and we finally failed.
It is a carnage on humanity.The perpetrators should be caught &punished.
While Karachi burned there was no police and FC there for hours. Why should they come? As long is Karachi is occupied by police and FC from Punjab they would not give a shit how many people of Karachi got killed or died. Why do we have get police from Punjab to keep law and order in Karachi? We are trying to do the same thing as East Pakistan where we were the occupier and we finally failed.
I knew when I first posted my comment that it is criminals who dose have the courage to post a honest comment. You would rather have the country continue to burn in hell.
I really don't understand how a state that has nuclear weapons does not have a proper police force, one that caters for all civilians and not just the elite. It seems it suits those in power to not have such a force.
keep it up pakistan 🙂
not shia and not sunnies all those muslims and ummah….so dont bracket with shaia’s.
we strongly con domed these types of attacks.
Will the Editor please wake up? What is this news item doing in today's paper?
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