Powerful explosion rocks Karachi, 19 martyred

KARACHI: A powerful blast occurred near Sindh Chief Minister House. At least 19 people including police personnel have been martyred while more than 130 others injured Thursday evening.

Emergency has been imposed in city’s hospitals.

Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area.

Several buildings in the area were damaged.

The blast took place in front of Sindh CM House, inside the office of Crime Investigation Department (CID).

SAMAA’s reporters on the scene saw dozens of motorcycles and vehicles destroyed and windowpanes of buildings were shattered up to 2 kilometers away.

Police said nature of blast was yet not known.

Sources said that terrorists entered the CID building and attempted to release their seven aides who were arrested last day.

Police officials told SAMAA that blasts took place when a truck hit the CID buildings.

The administration of Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has appealed people to donate blood for the victims of blast.

Several people lying under the debris of the destroyed buildings and houses near CID office.

Police officials confirmed that terrorists attempted to release detained terrorist Iqbal Bajori. It is not confirmed yet that either Bajori managed to escape or includes among the injured.

TPO Saddar said that about 1000 kilogram explosives were used in the blast.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has directed the authorities to present blasts report immediately.

Ahmed Chinoy, CPLC head, told SAMAA that Karachi is on the target of the terrorists. “It is the most powerful blast in the history of Karachi. A powerful explosion in the red zone area indicates security lapse,” he added.

Sindh IG Babar Khattak told SAMAA that the CID office was attacked by the terrorists from two sides before the explosion.

“Firing between the terrorists and security men continued for about five minutes.”

He said there was no high profile activity taking place in the CID office.

Khattak told SAMAA that police officials have been deployed outside the hospitals where injured are being treated.

(source:samaa.tv)

Chinese diplomats rush to eastern Sri Lanka for 2 Chinese killed in blast

COLOMBO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy to Sri Lanka confirmed the death of two Chinese nationals in a blast and had despatched officials to investigate the accident in the eastern police station of Karadiyanaru, the embassy said on Friday.

A blast rocked the Karadiyanaru police station in the district of Batticaloa killing over 60 people including two Chinese nationals and injuring over 45 people, military officials said.

Two Chinese diplomats would carry out investigations, officials from the Chinese Embassy said.

"The Chinese company indulged in development work in the area had safe kept explosives at the police station. A container carrying the explosives exploded and triggered the explosion of the next two containers," Ubhaya Madawela, the military spokesman said.

The explosion took place at around 11:45 a.m. local time (0615 GMT).

(source:xinhuanet.com)