From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: At least 11 people were injured on Monday in a blast near Iqbal Market and New Memon Mosque in Karachi’s Kharadar area, according to government officials.
As per footage, motorcycles and automobiles, including a police vehicle, suffered damage as people tried to put out fire.
A press release from the Karachi police’s media cell said an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was responsible for the blast. It said that Assistant Sub-inspector Badaruddin was among the injured, adding that he was “out of danger”.
“One police pick up and a few other vehicles are damaged in the incident. Crime scene unit has secured the place of incident. BD (bomb disposal) team is working to establish the nature of explosion,” the press release said. However, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that as per information received by him, there were seven injured so far, with four in critical condition and three stable.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon told media it was an “unfortunate incident”, adding that police and Bomb Disposal Squad had reached the site of the blast.
Memon also cited hospital officials as saying that at least six people have been injured in the blast.
“God forbid, if it is a terror attack, the government is determined to take stern action and we will not let them [terrorists] go scot-free.”
The minister said no matter outfit the terrorists belong to, “we will take strong action against them.”
He said that Sindh Chief Minister had directed hospitals to provide the best possible treatment to all those injured in the blast.
When asked whether he had any information about a bomb planted in a motorbike as being reported by various sections of the media, the minister said he would not believe any information other than the one given to him through official channels.
Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput took notice of the incident and issued instructions for emergency to be declared at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah sought a report from Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar on the incident. “The district administration should try that there’s no loss
