KARACHI: Twin blasts occurred in Orangi Town No 10 area killing three persons, including a teen aged girl, and wounded 18 others whereas another explosion took place near Karachi's Numaish chorwangi on minutes before the Chehlum procession was scheduled to pass the area without causing any human casualties, DawnNews reported.

A blast in Orangi Town No 10 area of the city took place minutes after the first explosion was reported in Karachi's Numaish area.

Security and rescue teams rushed to the blast site following which another explosion took place.

Rescue sources told Dawn.com that at least three persons were killed in the incident, including a 15-year-old girl. Moreover 18 persons, including six volunteers belonging to different rescue organisations, were also wounded in the attack.

The rescue worker added that the blasts took place near a imambargah in the area.

The victims were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital for medical treatment.

The nature of the explosion near Capri cinema on MA Jinnah road in Numaish area of Karachi was not yet clear but television footage showed smoke rising from the blast site.

Police sources said the explosives were planted on a pole of a signboard situated along the route of the Chehlum procession.

The explosion led to panic among the people though no injuries were reported in the incident, initial reports said.

Security personnel reached the blast sites, located several kilometres apart, and cordoned off the areas.

Karachi was declared among the various ‘sensitive’ parts of the country on the occasion of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

More than 10,000 army soldiers were working today with the civil administration in the city to maintain law and order.

Besides more than 10,000 Rangers personnel in the city, additional contingents had also been called from elsewhere in the province to remain standby.

The provincial government had already imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana for Monday and Tuesday.

Moreover, cell phone services have also been suspended in 22 cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, as a security measure during the observance of Chehlum