KARACHI: At least two people were killed and 25 others injured when a blast ripped through an election office of Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Qasba Colony area of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest metropolis on Saturday night.
TheNewsTribe’s correspondent from the Karachi reported while quoting police officials that the incidents took place at the office of former ruling party of the province. MQM was a coalition partner in the government that resigned last month after completing its term.
Initial reports suggest the first bomb was planted in a van and second took place near the Imam Bargah located in Karachi’s Qasba Colony.
The explosion damaged nearby buildings and vehicles, officials told TheNewsTribe.Com. Police and security agencies have cordoned off the area and an initial investigation is underway.
Injured and dead are shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
MQM’s sourced told TheNewsTribe that the unit 132 office number was attacked in the incident.
Its the third consecutive attack in last three days against former government party.
According to the unofficial information provided by the local people of the area “two different explosions took place in the area”.
Party leader Wasey Jalil said that the office was closed following a bomb blast on Tuesday which killed five people and injured around 15 at People’s Chowrangi in North Nazimabad.
As the election approaches, militant groups have increasingly been attacking liberal, secular parties such as the one targeted Saturday in the port city of Karachi.
The onslaught has forced many of the parties to change their campaign strategy and raised questions about whether the vote can be considered valid if some mainstream parties can’t properly take part.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Pakistani Taliban has directly threatened the outgoing coalition partners, the PPP, Awami National Party and MQM, which are perceived as secular.
Gulbahar Cracker Explosion
There is also a report about a cracker explosion at MQM’s Gulbahar election office; however, no casuality is reported.
Condemnation
MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leaders Syed Munawar Hasan and Muhammad Hussain Mehanti and others including ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain have condemned the devastating terrorist attack.
MQM announces day of mourning
The party has announced to observe day of mourning across the Sindh province on Sunday.
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