Pakistan
Three foreigners killed, 17 injured in blast near Karachi airport
Explosion was also heard around Karimabad, Defense and Jamshed Road
Karachi: Three foreigners lost their lives while 17 people were injured in the explosion near the Karachi airport signal.
According to media reports, a woman, police and Rangers personnel are also among those injured in the airport explosion.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir, there was an explosion near the airport signal in Karachi, after which the vehicles caught fire.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar while talking to the media after reviewing the incident after the blast said that they are unable to understand anything at the crime scene, therefore, it would be premature to say anything.
He stated that according to the initial investigation, an oil tanker caught fire and the explosion caused damage. The blast destroyed many vehicles, and the intensity of the explosion was very high.
Azfar Mahesar further said that investigations by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies are going on. The elements of terrorism and sabotage in the incident cannot be ignored.
DIG East added that it would be premature to say anything conclusive until the forensic report of the incident.
Sindh Interior Minister Zia Linjar while talking to the media at the site of the explosion said that there are reports that it was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which was investigated.
He stated that foreign nationals were riding in the vehicle that was hit by the explosion. The blast took place after the foreigner's vehicle passed. It cannot be called an oil tanker explosion; the investigation is being done through CCTV and other sources.
Taslim, the woman injured in the Karachi blast, said that she was passing by on a motorcycle with her son and grandson, police and other law enforcement officials ahead of them. Suddenly an explosion and some things hit them, the son and grandson are safe.
Initially, the police had said that one person was killed and six injured in the blast, who were shifted to the hospital. HOD Emergency Dr. Nausheen said that six injured in the blast have been brought to Jinnah Hospital.
Police and Rangers officials reached the spot while fire brigade personnel also tried to put out the fire in the vehicles.
After the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called the Interior Minister and IG Police and instructed them to maintain the roads leading to and from the airport. He sought an inquiry report on all aspects of the incident.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tesuri also asked the IG Police for a report on the blast. Governor Sindh directed the concerned institutions to provide the best medical aid to the injured.
Two vehicles and two motorcycles have caught fire due to the explosion.
The explosion was also heard around Karimabad, Defense and Jamshed Road.