HYDERABAD: No group has claimed responsibility for blasts that were reported at three different locations in Hyderabad and its outskirts on Tuesday.
Reports suggest that banned Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) – a separatist organisation striving for an independent Sindh – has however called for a strike on April 9 against the killing of activists of nationalist parties and Protection of Pakistan Bill which was enacted on Monday in National Assembly.
The blasts were reported on up-country railway tracks in Sehrish Nagar, Qasimabad taluka and Khursheed Colony of Kotri in Jamshoro district.
The third blast took place in the heart of Hyderabad i.e. outside Radio Pakistan building on Meeran Mohammad Shah road within the jurisdiction of Cantonment police station.
However, no loss of life is reported. Police have sped up snap checking in the city at different locations.
Maqsood Qureshi, younger brother of late Bashir Qureshi of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), Salman Wadhu and others were found dead in mysterious circumstances as their charred bodies were recovered in their burnt car in Naushahro Feroze district on March 21 ahead of JSQM’s planned freedom March in Karachi on March 23 – the day when Lahore Resolution (later renamed as Pakistan resolution) was passed.
The JSMM led by Shafi Burfat – who once used to be part of JSQM - has been opposing Protection of Pakistan Ordnance which was presented as a bill and passed amid rowdy scenes in the lower house of parliament on Monday.
Railway authorities have confirmed that two blasts occurred on their up-country railway track at two different sections between Karachi-Hyderabad railway stations.
Separately, unidentified armed persons resorted to firing in Hirabad area within the jurisdiction of Market police station but no one was hurt.
“Explosions are reported on up country tracks. We have been given clearance for section 169 track between Bholari and Kotri but we are awaiting one from Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) personnel for 178 section location before we move trains for their destination,” said a railway official from Karachi over the phone.
The trains which are halted included Karachi bound Awam and Hazara Expresses, halted at Hyderabad railway station while Rawalpindi bound Tezgam had to be stopped at Kotri railway station as passengers faced inconvenience.
No major damage was caused to the railway tracks.