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Suspected suicide blast at Shikarpur imambargah kills 50
SHIKARPUR: At least 50 people were killed and 54 injured in a suspected suicide blast inside Imambargah Maula Karballa in Lakhi Dar area of Shikarpur during Friday prayers, officials said.
Deputy commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Zardari said that at least 50 people were killed in the blast. He added that over 50 were injured in the incident.
Shaukat Memon, Medical Superintendent Civil Hospital Shikarpur, had said earlier over 50 people had been injured in the huge blast that was reportedly heard several kilometers away. Children were also reportedly among the dead and injured.
SSP Shikarpur Saqib Ismail Memon said that after initial investigation the explosion appeared to be a suicide blast.
“We are conducting further inquiry into the incident,” he said.
The bomb disposal squad (BDS) of Sindh Police revealed after an initial probe that around five to seven kilos of explosives was used in the explosion.
DIG Shikarpur Rakhio Mirani said that a man brought a device inside the Imambargah and used it to detonate the explosives.
Scores of worshipers were present inside for Friday prayers during the time of the blast.
According to ISPR, a team of doctors has been dispatched to Shikarpur from Pano Aqil Garrison.
Police and rescue services were dispatched immediately to the blast site while the injured are being taken to Civil Hospital Shikarpur.
According to rescue services sources, the roof of the Imambargah collapsed after the blast. Teams are busy in recovering survivors from the rubble.
The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Shia Ulema Council have announced a peaceful protest strike on Saturday and a three-day mourning to denounce the brutal incident.
Deputy commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Zardari has announced a public holiday in Shikarpur.
Chief Minister Shah has also announced a day of mourning on Saturday, urging all PPP leaders to wear black arm bands to mourn the loss of lives in Shikarpur.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and ordered an immediate inquiry.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that emergency had been declared at all hospitals in Shikarpur.
He also said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Daher have taken notice of the incident.
President Mamnoon Hussain, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain also condemned the blast.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk