KARACHI, Nov 22: Back to back bomb blasts on a busy street in Karachi’s Ancholi area on Friday night left seven people, including a boy, dead. At least 28 people suffered injuries while a number of shops and vehicles were badly damaged.

The deafening explosions were heard miles away, sowing fear in the city hours after demonstrations were held under tight security to denounce the Rawalpindi violence on Ashura day.

The blasts occurred at some distance from an Imambargah in Ancholi, Federal B. Area.

“We received five bodies, including that of a little boy, at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital,” said police surgeon Dr Jalil Qadir.

Among the dead was Salik Jafferi, an associate producer with Geo Television.

Shahid Hayat Khan, the chief of Karachi police, said initial reports suggested the two bombs had been fitted to motorbikes.

“The attacks were carried out on sectarian grounds,” he said.

According to Amir Farooqi, the Karachi Central SSP, the two bombs weighed up to five kilograms each and were detonated through mobile phone devices within a space of 30 seconds.

He said the bombs were placed between Blocks 17 and 18 of Federal B. Area — at a considerable distance from the Imambargah in Ancholi — as the “criminals were unable to break through the high security blanket leading to the place”.

“Timing of the blasts seems unusual as it occurred at 11.35pm. Perhaps the criminals’ motive was to cause chaos,” the SSP added.

CONDEMNATION: The Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen condemned the attacks and called for a three-day mourning.

The MWM’s chief, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, called it a ‘cowardly act of terrorism’ aimed at triggering panic and violence in the country.

“The government must come up with measures that show its resolve against terrorism. The nation already knows the conspirators and its enemies,” he said in a statement.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement advised the people of Karachi to peacefully observe a mourning day on Saturday.

CM’S DIRECTIVE: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who also holds additional charge of home minister, asked the inspector-general of police and the additional inspector-general to take action against the culprits.

Mr Shah directed police and the Rangers to take measures for protecting life and property. He also called upon hospitals to provide prompt medical treatment to the injured.

The chief minister said such criminal acts would not affect the ongoing operation against outlaws.

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