KARACHI: At least 16 people were reported injured from three consecutive blasts in Karachi, while at least six suspected terrorists were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire
A third cracker blast in North Karachi Sector 11-B was reported around midnight on Wednesday, after the city had suffered two successive explosions in North Nazimabad already.
Express News correspondent Rehan Khan reported that the latest blast injured two policemen, who were then shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. One of the injured is understood to be in a critical condition.
SSP Central District Aamir Farooqi said the blast occurred near an Imambargah with a religious ceremony in progress inside.
Earlier, two back-to-back blasts occurred in the nearby Pahaar Ganj, North Nazimabad.
Planted improvised explosive devices were used for both explosions, which occurred within the space of an hour.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that the Bomb Disposal Squad had cleared the area after the first blast, declaring it was now safe.
However, a second explosion followed the first one after security forces left the area.
The injured, who were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, are known to include a police official, a Rangers official as well as three journalists.
Police and BDS officials surround the area, which also has an Imambargah located nearby.
Clash with suspected terrorists
Following the blasts in North Nazimabad and New Karachi, the Central Investigation Department (CID) acted on tip offs which resulted in an exchange of fire with suspected terrorists near Kati Pahari.
SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam told media that they had recovered large cache of weapons along with grenades and suicide vests. He added that the police also exchanged fire with suspected terrorists in which at least six militants were reportedly killed, while three police officers sustained injuries.
CID suggested that the suspects had links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Among those killed was Qari Khalil, who CID said was a local militant commander and was responsible for attacks on office of political parties in different parts of Karachi just before the May 2013 elections.
Shia Ulema Council condemn incident
The Shia Ulema Council condemned the blasts, demanding immediate action against the terrorists.
Allama Jaffar professed that Pahaar Ganj was a sensitive area where Shias had been targeted before.
Fear of renewed violence during Muharram has led the government to tighten security in all parts of the country including Karachi.
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