KARACHI: Five people were wounded when a bomb exploded at the entrance of a bus terminal near Sheerin Jinnah Colony on Tuesday, said police officials and hospital sources.

Police investigators said it was an improvised explosive device (IED) that was planted at the gate of the terminal. According to them, a bicycle rigged with some explosive material [the IED] was parked at the site a little after 3:30pm. It blew up wounding five people.

Citing the initial investigation, SSP South Sheeraz Nazeer said that the bomb weighed one kilogram and contained ball bearings.

“One of the wounded persons is in critical condition,” he said, adding that it appeared to be a “homemade remote-controlled or timed device”.

A team of bomb disposal unit and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) visited the blast site and collected evidence.

Raja Umar Khattab of the CTD confirmed that the bomb weighing around a kilogram was planted in a bicycle.

Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar took notice of the blast and sought a detailed report from the SSP South. He asked the investigators to accelerate the pace of the probe, identify suspects and ascertain motive for the attack.

Man dies in road accident

A man riding a motorcycle died after the two-wheeler was hit by a speeding vehicle in Shershah on Tuesday.

A rescue organisation identified the victim as Muhammad Madani Hussain, saying that he seemed to be in his mid-30s.

The body was taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi for medico-legal formalities and later handed over to his family.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2020