KARACHI, Dec 16: An anti-terrorism court put off on Thursday hearing of Masjid Ali Raza bomb blast case against a worker of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi after recording the statement of two prosecution witnesses.

Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-5 fixed Dec 20 for the next hearing after statements by prosecution witnesses Ghulam Abbas and Qambar Abbas who were injured in the blast.

As many as 25 faithful were killed and 37 others injured on May 31 this year when a suicide bomber blew himself inside the Masjid Ali Raza at Old Numaish in Brigade police limits.

Gul Hasan, who was arrested on June 13, is stated to have been the mastermind of blasts at Haideri Mosque and Imambargah Ali Raza. He is alleged to have planned the attacks with absconding accused that included Asif Chuto and Mufti Obaid.

The two prosecution witnesses, who were also cross-examined by defence counsel Mushtaq Ahmed, stated they were offering prayers when the blast took place. The state is being represented by special public prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum.

The same court on Wednesday recorded the statement of a medico-legal officer in the Haideri Mosque bomb blast case against accused Gul Hasan. The judge put off hearing till Dec 21 after statement by Dr Preetam Jasrani, who had conducted autopsies on bodies of seven victims.

As many as 26 people were killed and 98 others injured on May 7 when a suicide bomber blew himself inside the Haideri mosque on the premises of Sindh Madressahtul Islam.