KARACHI: At least two people have been killed, along with 23 others injured, including two rangers, after an explosion near Karachi's Abbas Town, DawnNews reported.

Eight of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

The blast took place near the Jamia Masjid Imambargah Mustafa at Abul Hassan Isphahani Road.

Eyewitnesses said that the blast took place near a barrier at the entrance of Abbas Town. Both sides of the road had been cordoned off due to security arrangements.

Ambulances have rushed towards the scene of the blast and have taken the injured to nearby hospitals.

Reports said that firing was heard near the gathering after the explosion.

Nearby shops were damaged in the explosion, while windows at nearby buildings have also been shattered.

Police and Rangers have sealed off the area. Electricity in the area has also reportedly gone.

According to police officials, the bomb had been placed on a motorcycle. They said that six kilograms of explosives material was used in the attack.

The bomb disposal squad said that three to four kilograms of explosives had been used in the blast.

Condemnation of bomb attack

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has strongly condemned the bomb attack in Karachi. In an official statement he said that the country's resolve in the fight against terrorism will not be affected by cowardly attacks.

The PM's statement further said that the fight against terrorism will continue until the country has been secured from this menace.

President Asif Zardari has also condemned the attack.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik while condemning the attack, said that the blast was the work of the enemies of Pakistan. He has also directed the Police and Rangers to work together in the aftermath of the attack. Rehman Malik has also called for a report on the blast from the IG Sindh.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the attack. PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, ANP Sindh Chapter chief Shahi Syed and PTI chief Imran Khan also condemned the blast.