KARACHI: At least 45 people, many women and children among them, were killed and over 135 injured in a massive bombing in the city’s Shia-dominated neighbourhood of Abbas Town on Sunday evening.
The explosion took place at the time of Maghrib prayers between two apartment blocks at the entrance to Abbas Town.
A blast had taken place on November 18 last year at almost the same place. It was caused by explosives tied to a motorcycle.
A police official initially said the bomb blast had taken place not far from an Imambargah.
But the brunt of the attack was borne by two adjoining blocks of Rabia Flowers and Iqra City. The ground and first floors in both the blocks were badly damaged, exposing the living rooms of apartments. Some flats were reduced to rubble.
There were reports that several residents died inside their apartments because of the sheer impact of the blast and injuries caused by shrapnel.
At least three bodies buried in the rubble were retrieved by rescue workers by late night but there were fears that more bodies could still be there.
The balconies on the upper floors were also blown off and flames were leaping out from apartment on the fourth floor.
According to initial estimates, 40 to 50 apartments were destroyed and over 10 shops flattened.
Law-enforcement officials stayed away from the place for quite some time after the blast.
East Karachi DIG Aleem Jafri suspected that an explosive-laden vehicle might have been used.
“Over 150kg of high explosives laced with ball bearings were detonated by a time device,” he told Dawn, citing a report of the bomb disposal unit.
The blast left a four-foot deep crater of 10-foot circumference. An area of around 700 metres had been affected, the DIG said.
Police found an engine and some parts which indicated that a car had been used for the massive bombing. However, they didn’t find any particulars of the vehicle.
“About 45 deaths have occurred and as many as 135 wounded are in various hospitals. More than 70 patients have been admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital, 32 to Liaquat National Hospital, 17 to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, 12 to the JPMC and one to Civil Hospital,” Sindh Health Secretary Dr Suresh Kumar said.
Related tags:
Latest news, world news, current affairs, breaking news, arab country news, daily news, Islamic news, india news, Pakistan news, , india Pakistan news, current news, news headlines, Latest World News,Articles,
Latest news, latest urdu news, world news, current affairs, breaking news, arab country news, sport news, cricket news, daily news, Islamic news, india news, Pakistan news, india Pakistan news, current news,Current affairs, Economic Affairs,Islam and Human Rights, Islam and Politics , Islam and the West, Muslim Media, Islamic Society, Islamic World,Latest World News, breaking news ,Top Breaking News, Current Affairs, daily news, recent news, news headlines
No comments:
Post a Comment