1 killed, at least 9 wounded in explosion in Karachi’s Saddar area

A man was killed and at least nine wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted on a motorcycle exploded in a crowded area of Saddar late Thursday night, officials say.

The explosion occurred in the commercial area of Saddar, which remains crowded owing to the presence of eateries.

The additional police surgeon of Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre, Dr. Summaiya Syed stated that until now, the body of a young man and nine injured persons, including three teenagers, were taken to the hospital. She said that the condition of the two injured persons was “serious”.

The explosion resulted in extensive damage to property, including vehicles, in the area. Images from the site showed that a vehicle belonging to the Pakistani Coast Guard was also damaged in the blast.

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar apprised Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah that an improvised explosive device (IED) was used, the latter’s spokesperson told the media.

The probe’s preliminary report suggests that the IED was attached to a motorcycle.

CM Sindh took notice of the incident and sought a report from the city police chief and Karachi commissioner as well as declaring an emergency in two nearby hospitals, the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the Karachi Civil Hospital.

A bomb disposal squad team and senior police officials of counterterrorism arrived at the scene of the explosion to conduct an investigation.

Photo: Screengrab