.:: SAMAA - Suicide blast in Khi leaves 14 dead, several injured

By Shahid Rind, Kashif Farooqui, Abbas Naqvi, Nazish Ayaz, Faryal Arif and Azhar Sultan

KARACHI: At least 14 people have been killed and several other injured in the blast in Karachi.

A suicide bomb blast occurred at Saddar, near the FTC building at 3:03 pm Friday.

Emergency has been imposed in different hospitals.

The bomb was worn by the rider of a motorcycle on a jacket. He collided the motorcyle with a passenger bus of 52-A route, carrying 30 to 40 mourners of the Chehlum procession. Broken parts of the motorcycle have been found on the site of the blast. The blast occured despite tight security in the area.

The blast was a suicide attack. The bomb disposal squad team confirmed that the suicide jacket contained 15-20 kg of explosive material.

Twelve persons are confirmed dead so far. More than 50 are reported to be injured. Injured include children too.

Bomb disposal Squad leader Munir said that a dead body has been found which is suspected to be that of the suicide attacker.

Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area.

Injured are being taken to the Civil Hospital and Jinnah Hospital through the Chhipa and Edhi ambulances.

CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed said that the blast has nothing to do with the Chehlum procession. He appeals to continue the procession.

MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain has condemned the blast and has appealed to the people to donate blood.

The martyred reported in the JPMC are: Talah Iqbal, Hanif Zahid, Yasir Zahid, Hasan Fasih, Ahmed Saeed, Najam Mohammad Hussain, Tauqeer Zamir, Shahid Rajab, Zamir, Ali Ishtiaq and the names of two more are unknown.

Dr Seemin Jamali, the Director Accident and Emergency Ward of JPMC appeals to the mourners and the relatives of the injured to avoid crowding in the hospital.

City Nazim Karachi, Mustafa Kamal said that this attack is conducted by enemies of humanity.

"The people of Karachi should not let these enemies get to them," he said.

He also said that people can take the injured to Liaquat Hospital and the Aga Khan Hospital if they are not satisfied with the facilities of the government hospitals. They have formed an EDO team through which the expenses of the treatment will be borne by the city district government.

People from the procession have come to the site of the blast where they are chanting against the police and the city district government.

MQM member Farooq Sattar said that he condemns the blast.

"It is an act of savagery and barbarism. They are trying to ruin the peace of the city. The different religious political leaders and Altaf Bhai have asked the people of Karachi to control their anger and sorrow and not react immediately. These attacks are a challenge to our solidarity and tolerance. We should be united and calm. We pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives. We should curb our anger. There will be other times to express our passion. If citizens are calm, alert and report to the government, we can help curb these terrorists."

He also said that the Jundullah group has admitted to have carried out the previous attack. Those responsible for this attack will also be uncovered. SAMAA