Blast Kills 4 Civilians, Injures 21 Others In Pakistan's Port City

Islamabad, Nov 19, IRNA -- A bomb blast killed at least Four people and injured 21 others in the Pakistan port city of Karachi late Sunday, rescuers and hospital sources said. The blast at Abbas Town area occurred near an Imam Bargah where a 'majlis' was going on. Preliminary investigation suggests that the bomb was attached to a motorcycle and parked near the Imam Bargah, a police officer, Chudhry Aslam said. He said the bomb was detonated with the help of remote control. A police officer said that all those killed and injured were outside the Imam Bargah. Several security personnel were also among the injured. The blast smashed windows of nearby houses and completely destroyed a shop. People shifted the injured to hospitals in their private vehicles. Ambulances also arrived at the scene to transfer the injured to hospital. Residents said they also heard firing after the blast, which created panic among the people. Electricity also disconnected after the blast. Paramilitary troops and police arrived at the scene and the experts from the bomb disposal squad collected information. Angry people threw stones at the police as the law enforcement agencies failed to ensure security for the ‘Majlis’. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari has taken notice of the blast and directed the authorities concerned to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has expressed grief and anguish over the loss of precious lives in a bomb explosion in Karachi. The Prime Minster strongly condemned the incident and said that such cowardly acts would not deter the firm’s resolve of the government to eliminate the menace of terrorism and militancy from the country in all its shapes and manifestations. The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to submit a report of the unfortunate incident. He asked the people to keep a vigil on the miscreants who wanted to achieve their ulterior motives by creating law and order situation./end