KARACHI, April 12: An improvised explosive device (IED) planted near a mosque in Garden was defused just before Friday prayers, police said. They added the IED, weighing around a kilo, had been planted near Gulzar-i-Habib mosque in the Garden area.

They explained that the police rushed to the scene and called the bomb disposal unit when they were informed by area residents about a suspicious-looking packet placed near the mosque.

A bomb disposal squad defused the IED and launched a search for any other device in the area, the police said. Following the search, the mosque was declared cleared, they added.