40 dead in twin Karachi blasts

Twin blasts occurred on Sunday evening in the Shia-dominated Abbas Town, Karachi, which left at least 40 dead and over 135 injured, Express News reported. The injured and deceased included women and children. A car containing explosives was detonated at the entrance of Iqra City and demolished two apartment buildings and nearby shops. Bomb Disposal Squad officials determined that a 150kg device was used. Many victims were trapped under the rubble as teams worked to rescue them. Panicked residents had resorted to aerial firing, which made security officials reluctant to approach the site. A suspect was handed over to Rangers by residents of Abbas Town. He was reported to be from Peshawar and told the police that he had two accomplices on back-up. Police IG Fayyaz Leghari said a suicide bomber may have been behind the attack. Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs1.5million in compensation to the families of the victims. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) called for a day of mourning on Monday. The chief minister also announced the same. All markets and schools will be closed on Monday. Public transport will also be suspended. This is the second blast that has shaken Abbas Town in the span of four months. A blast took place in November of last year near an Imambargah in Abbas town, which killed two people and injured over a dozen men, including two Rangers personnel.