KARACHI: Two teenagers were killed and eight other people injured in a roadside blast in the Quaidabad area of Karachi late on Friday night, police and hospital officials said.

“At least 10 people sustained injuries when an explosion occurred at a roadside stall near Quaidabad flyover,” said DIG East Amir Farooqi.

According to the Shah Latif Town police, the blast took place at a fruit cart close to a hospital, adjacent to the deputy commissioner office.

Bomb disposal squad was called to determine the cause of the explosion, the DIG said, adding that nature of the blast was being ascertained.

The injured were rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where doctors pronounced two of them dead on arrival.

One of the deceased was identified as Pappu Mushtaq, 16. The other, whose name could not be ascertained, was said to be 18 years old.

JPMC executive director Dr Seemin Jamali said eight injured persons had been admitted to the hospital. The condition of two was critical, she added.

The injured were identified as Rasheed, 18; Mushtaq, 22; Haq Nawaz, 55; Siddiq, 55; Arsalan, 35; Allah Ditta, 25; Qamar Abbas, 28; and Shahab, 26.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report from the additional inspector general of police, Karachi. He directed the hospital officials to provide adequate treatment to the injured.

Separately, Sindh IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam sought a detailed inquiry report from the Malir SSP. He also issued directives to the police to remain alert by conducting snap checking and enhancing patrolling in the area.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2018