One killed and eight wounded in blast in Karachi's Saddar area

Karachi: One person was killed and several others suffered injuries after a blast at Saddar's Murshid bazaar on late Thursday, police and witnesses said.

Several vehicles and motorcycles were damaged in the "powerful" explosion triggered by a time device fitted in a motorcycle.

Police, Rangers, Bomb Disposal Squad and ambulances are at the crime scene. The injured are being shifted to Jinnah Hospital. The deceased was identified as Umar.

Preliminary findings suggested that a time device was planted in the motorcycle. A coast guard vehicle was also damaged among other vehicles.

DIG South Sharjeel Kharal said he didn't think any person or the organization was a target.

Sindh Chief Minister issued red alert to all state hospitals. According to the provincial information minister there was no prior information about the planning of blast.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and shared his grief with the bereaved family.