A woman has been killed while at least 11 people including a child have been injured in a blast near the New Memon Mosque in the Kharadar area of Karachi. This is the third blast in the city within a month.
According to Karachi’s Superintendent of Police Ali Mardan Khoso, the incident was a ‘bomb blast’, as opposed to freak accident involving gas leakage or an electrical fire. He also said that a police mobile vehicle that had been parked near the site was damaged, and a police official was among the wounded.
According to hospital sources, 11 people, including one child, are currently undergoing treatment at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi, where at least 6 are reported to be in critical condition.
Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab has confirmed this figure, and reported that there has been another casualty, as a lady by the name of Sania has expired while in the hospital.
Number of people injured has increased to 11 while unfortunately 1 lady (Sania w/o Khalid) has expired https://t.co/7BYHqTnt9d
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) May 16, 2022
Police have confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was responsible for the blast.
In a statement issued through Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack, and said, “The enemies of people’s lives and property will be dealt with iron hands.”
He urged provincial governments to improve and increase security arrangements, and provide the necessary arrangements to keep their citizens safe. He also extended condolences to the family of the deceased woman, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
This marks the second bomb blast to affect Karachi in a week, raising concerns about the resurgence of terrorist activity in the country.
Last week, a bomb blast in Karachi’s Saddar area left one dead and 13 injured, and similarly, it was also carried out through an IED attached to a bicycle.
