KARACHI: At least two passers-by were killed and 20 others, including four policemen, injured when a powerful bomb rigged to a parked motorcycle exploded in Karachi’s Old Sabzi Mandi area on Friday evening.

The authorities believed the target was a former SHO of Mauripur, Sub-Inspector Shafiq Tanoli, who was once ‘active’ in operations against suspected militants and had played a significant role in investigations into the murder of journalist Wali Khan Babar.

“Two civilians were killed while four policemen, including officer Shafiq Tanoli, were among the 20 wounded,” said DIG Munir Ahmad Shaikh.

“We are sure that the target was Shafiq Tanoli. But who is behind the explosion will be determined through a probe,” added DIG Shaikh.

According to witnesses, as Mr Tanoli along with his three guards arrived in a private vehicle near his residence in Old Sabzi Mandi area, the explosion took place, injuring him, his guards and others.

The blast was so powerful that it was heard miles away. The dead and wounded were moved to different hospitals of the city.

“We received two youths brought dead and 15 others wounded,” Dr Seemin Jamali of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre said.

Two of the injured received serious multiple injuries caused by explosive material while one youth, Javed, sustained burn wounds, she added.