50 dead in twin Karachi blasts (Abbas Town)

40 dead in twin Karachi blasts Blasts in the Shia-domina­ted Abbas Town area demoli­sh two apartm­ent buildi­ngs. By Web Desk / Reuters Published: March 3, 2013 Firefighters spray water to control a fire in a building after a bomb blast in a residential area in Karachi March 3, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS .KARACHI: 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. Karachi main guzashta roz qatilana hamlay main zakhmi honay walay Pak Beherya kay Commander Azeem Haider inteqaal kar gai hain.akbar thahim KARACHI: An official navy spokesperson confirmed the death of senior navy officer Lieutenant Commander Azeem Haider who succumbed to his injuries on Monday, reported Express News. Lt Haider was critically injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire at his car near gate 15 of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on February 27. According to the police, Lt Haider was shot five times and was admitted to PNS Shifa for treatment and care. He passed away while under treatment at the hospital. Security sources said it was a targeted attack on Haider and all navy officers had been informed of a possible attack earlier. Jackson police has lodged a complaint of the incident; however no suspects have been arrested yet. ============= Karachi blasts: Pakistan flag flies at half mast Transp­ort, busine­ss centre­s, educat­ional instit­utes remain closed in severa­l areas of Sindh. By Web Desk / AFP Published: March 4, 2013 Residents gather in front of a damaged building after a bomb blast in a residential area, a day earlier, in Karachi March 4, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS KARACHI: Twin blasts in Karachi brought most areas of the country to a standstill on Monday with strikes being observed while the national flag flew at half mast, Express News reported. A powerful blast ripped though Abbas Town in Karachi on Sunday evening, leaving 48 people dead and over 150 injured. The explosion took place in a street lined with apartment buildings and myriad small shops on both sides. Around 200 flats were affected, while 50 of them were completely destroyed by the fire which followed the blasts. The residents were compelled to move to their relatives’ houses. The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) continued with their operation Monday morning to find more evidence from the blast site. Transport, businesses, educational institutes and petrol pump remained closed in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sukkur and Jacobabad. The Punjab government also called for a one-day mourning to be observed today. On Monday, the stock market was open, but Mohammad Sohail of brokerage firm Topline Securities said there were fewer dealers and trading volumes were low. The strike in Karachi was called by Jafaria Alliance and was supported by several political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F), PML-Quaid, and Sunni Tehreek. Local transport and traders’ associations said that they would not be working on Monday. “There will be no public transport on the roads today,” said Karachi Transporters Association chief Irshad Bokhari. Head of the Karachi Traders’ Alliance, Attique Mir also said that shopping centres and malls as well as business activity would remain suspended. Lawyers of Sindh Bar Council and Punjab Bar Council also announced a strike and boycotted activities in several courts. The Lahore High Court will only hear important cases. Three-day mourning was also announced by Shia parties including Jafaria Alliance, Majlis-e-Wehdat-e-Muslimeen, Shia Ulema Council and Quetta Yakjheti Council. Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Fazal Karim, while speaking to Express News, said that terrorists with an international agenda are in power and are challenging the government’s writ. Stressing on a crackdown against such elements, Karim said the terrorists want Pakistan to disintegrate. “If there is no concentrated effort against them, situation will not improve,” he added. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Memon said the people of Pakistan have failed the terrorists by keeping calm. He said the terrorists want to instigate violence between the two sects. The PPP leader further lamented the fact that the “enemies are in disguise and are a part of us.” Police are preparing a list of those killed and are trying to identify the dead with the help of their relatives. Camps for blood and money donation have been set up in different parts of the city to facilitate those affected by the blasts. CM takes notice Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of the incident and formed a six-member investigation team, which will present its report in three days. The chief minister also announced Rs1.5 million in compensation for families of those killed in the blasts, and one million rupees for the injured. He also announced a reward of Rs5 million for anyone who assists the police in identifying or locating the suspects involved in the act. The Sindh governor promised that the government will rebuild the homes and the shops destroyed in the blast. ============== Chief Justice takes suo motu notice 6:27 PM PST Funeral procession participants come under fire near Sohrab Goth Seven people injure­d as a result of firing. By Web DeskPublished: March 4, 2013 People attend funeral prayer who were killed in bomb attack, a day earlier, in Karachi March 4, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS KARACHI: Just as participants of the funeral procession started returning to the residential complex in Abbas Town, they came under heavy fire at Al-Asif Square near Sohrab Goth with at least three people injured, Express News reported. Express News correspondent Nadeem Ahmed said that heavy firing by unknown men was underway at Sohrab Goth from “all sides.” He said that at least seven people had been injured as a result of the firing. Some buses and vehicles had also been torched on the highway. The government announced that pillion riding will be banned from midnight on March 4, 2013. A crackdown against banned organisations will also be launched. Funeral prayers for Abbas Town victims Funeral prayers of people who were killed in Sunday’s twin blasts in Abbas Town were held earlier today. The funeral prayers were led by Maulana Shaikh Salahuddin. A large crowd turned out for the funeral prayers. The dead were buried at the Wadi-e-Hussain graveyard in Karachi. Earlier, funeral prayers of six of the dead were offered at Shuhada Karbala Imambargah in Ancholi. As many as 48 people were killed and 140 people were injured when two bombs went off in a residential complex in Abbas Town, Karachi on March 3, 2013. On the request of Karachi Traders Association, the Shia Ulema Council called off the strike, while Karachi Transport Ittehad also decided to end transport strike. MNA Shazia Marri turned away When MNA Shazia Marri arrived at Abbas Town on Monday afternoon — apparently for recording of a show — incensed area residents forced her car to turn back. Express News bureau chief Akbar Ali said that at first the area residents thought the Marri had arrived to condole with them. When they saw that the MNA was there for recording a programme, they forced her entourage to turn back. Some angry members of the crowd slapped Marri’s car as it made its way out of the area. This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly ============ KHI: 27-Feb Ko Kemari Me Zakhmi Hone Waly Lt. Commander Syed Azeem Hasan Shaheed. Namaz E Janaza Aaj Bad Namaz E Zohrain Masjid e Yasrab Defence Me Hogi. Abbas Town Blast Me Zakhmi Hone Wali Khatoon Fatima Liaqat National Hospital Me Shaheed Hogae. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… END OF LIVE UPDATES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:40pm Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs1.5 million in compensation for the families of the blast victims, Express News reports. President Asif Ali Zardari phoned the chief minister to get details on the blasts. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:25pm Death toll has now gone up to 20, while the number of the injured has increased to 70, Express News reports. Some gas lines in the area have leaked due to the blasts. Sui Gas teams are in place to work on them. The fire in the area has largely been brought under control. The blasts were reported to have been heard from nearly 10 kilometres away. Over 20 shops were also damaged in the blasts. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:20pm Rescue teams are unable to bring heavy machinery into the affected area because of the narrow roads of Abbas Town, Express News reports. Young volunteers continue to assist the rescue teams in their operation. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:13pm The death toll has risen to 16, Express News reports. More than 40 flats have been destroyed. Rescue teams are still working to remove people from under the rubble. Residents of the area have brought emergency lights and have turned on their car headlights to assist rescue teams, because of the loss of electricity. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:05pm The dead bodies are not recognisable and the injured are in critical condition, Express News reports. Rescue workers predict that the death toll will continue to rise. The fire on the 3rd and 4th floors of the affected building have been extinguished. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:00pm The number of people trapped under the debris cannot be determined by rescue teams, Express News reports. The fire is the main hindrance to the rescue operation, but security officials are also reluctant to approach the site because of angered residents who have taken up arms. A police mobile used to be posted at the entrance of the residential area, but since it was inadequate, residents had appointed personal guards for their safety. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:52pm The fire brigade is trying to douse the fire and remove victims from the affected flats, Express News reports. 30 to 40 flats reportedly damaged. The area was reported to have lost electricity. KESC tweeted that teams had been dispatched to the site to restore electricity. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:45pm The death toll has now increased to ten, Express News reports. The first blast occurred after a car containing explosives arrived near the Paradise apartments in Abbas Town. The fire brigade is still trying to contain the fire. Among the chaos, the panicked public has resorted to aerial firing. Emergency has been declared in hospitals. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:40pm The five deceased include one woman and one child, Express News reports. The number of the injured has risen to 60. Civilians are assisting rescue teams at the site of the blasts. Some people are still trapped under the rubble. Four hospitals are being used to treat those who were injured in the twin blasts. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:35pm Death toll has increased to five, which include women and children, Express News reports. The death toll is likely to rise, according to reports. Women and children were reported to be among those injured in the blasts. Two buildings were completely destroyed during the explosions. 20 flats were demolished. The residents of the area are predominantly Shia Muslims. Rescue teams have arrived to the scene. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:28pm The process of shifting the injured to hospitals is still ongoing, Express News reports. The Bomb Disposal Squad is still on their way to the site to determine the cause of the blasts. Police and security officials have cordoned off the area. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:20pm Two people have died and 18 have been injured, Express News reports. All of those injured in the blasts have not yet been shifted to hospitals. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:10pm A second blast was heard in Abbas Town. Windows of nearby buildings reportedly damaged. The blasts were reported to have occurred on Abul Hasan Isphani Road. Both blasts occured at the entrance of Iqra City. Witnesses reported seeing a cloud of smoke rising from the site of the blasts. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:00pm The first blast was heard in Abbas Town. Initial reports suggest that it was due to a planted IED. Rescue teams were alerted and had left for the site. ========== Sameer_jafri terrible blast happened in Karachi, but our nation is busy in enjoying the match #nofeelings 25 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite DrAshrafChohan @MehrTarar scars of 2nd WW are still apparent around the globe and it takes generation to normalise after civil wars. #Karachi 16 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite 15 new tweets rjrajajeepmln Nawaz Sharif has protested strongly against the bomb blasts on Isphahani Road, Abbas Town. Karachi's situation is of grave concern. 38 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite YusraSAskari RT @khalidkhan787: Some apartments have caught fire after blast #Karachi 30 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite Rifness @furkanzafar someone from karachi Lagta hai. Lol 24 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite EcellesCarson Blast reported in Karachi: Blast reported in Karachi ... bit.ly/ZZcmuP 17 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite 23 new tweets A_Rizvi110 After killing 100s in #Quetta recently! Banned outfits ASWJ-LeJ strikes in #Karachi! Twin blasts in AbbasTown #ShiaGenocide @DrAQ_Khan 42 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite AIiRaza Chalo bhai 3 din Karachi bandh hoga, 1 din quetta bhi laga lo .. #sit-ins would be trending for next two days!