News
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Death rains on Lyari teenagers* Bomb kills 11 people, mostly teenagers playing street football at a crowded market
* Attackers apparently targeted provincial minister who had come to hand out prizes
Staff Report
KARACHI: A bomb killed 11 people in a poor district of the city on Wednesday, mostly teenagers playing street football at a crowded market, officials said.
The killing of so many youngsters shocked many residents. “There was total chaos when the bomb went off. People were screaming and running for safety,” said resident Zafar Baloch. It was unclear who was behind the blast in Lyari district, a stronghold of the main opposition Pakistan People’s Party. The attack appeared to be aimed at provincial minister Javed Nagori, who had come to hand out prizes at the football match, said provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon.
The children had been playing while their parents shopped for the upcoming Eidul Fitr. “There was smoke everywhere and people were covered in glass,” said Sheree, who didn’t want to give her last name. She was near Nagori’s convoy when the blast knocked her off her feet. She saw the bodies of three children, she said. The bomb exploded after a football match which was played at Baznijo Chowk in Lyari. Talking to a private TV channel, SSP City Tariq Dharejo said that the bomb was planted in a motorcycle and was detonated through remote control.
He said that the motorcycle which was used for the explosion was stolen from Ferozabad. The police official further said that five to six kilogrammes of explosive was used in the blast. Dharejo said that the target of the bombs were participants of the football match and provincial Minister for Katchi Abadis Javed Nagori. The minister remained unharmed but his vehicle was damaged.
Rescue teams shifted the injured to Lyari General Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi, where at least ten people, including seven children, were declared dead, while others were admitted for medical treatment. The Bomb Disposal Squad said that the explosives were detonated using remote control. According to the police officials the motorcycle used in the blast was been stolen from Ferozabad police remits and police was trying to locate the person who had parked it.
However, investigators remain clueless about the group behind the incident but they believe that PPP lawmaker Nagori and outlawed Peoples Amn Committee was the target of the attackers. Police officials suspect different motives behind the attack, including gang war, and the hand of political and banned militant and nationalist parties. Talking to media persons, Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon said the provincial government has ordered every possible healthcare facility to the injured. Meanwhile, taking notice of the incident Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad directed IG Sindh to submit a report of the incident in 24 hours. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the governor strongly condemned the incident.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk