One person was killed and at least nine were injured in a blast that rocked the Saddar area of Karachi late Thursday night when a a vehicle of Pakistan Coast Guards was passing by. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), an outlawed nationalist party, claimed the responsibility of the blast through social media. It said that the target was Pakistan Coast Guards.
According to the initial report submitted to Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Murad Ali Shah by the DIG South, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a bicycle. The blast occurred near the United Bakery.
According to the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials, explosive material was planted in the carrier of the bicycle that was detonated using a time device.
“The bomb was made locally and about 2 to 2.5-kilogrammes of explosive material was used in it,” said BDS, adding that “ball-bearings were used in the explosive material”.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has said that those responsible for the incident will not be spared.
He said there was no threat of a blast at any particular place. Replying to a question, he said that the blast at the University of Karachi was a suicide bomb blast; however, it is too early to comment whether the two had any links.
Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab said that the police and other law enforcement agencies were assessing the situation.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow after the terror attack.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow and sent heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. He directed authorities concerned to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and also sent his condolences.
