KARACHI Another victim of Karachi’s Shershah bomb died of his injuries in a hospital early Sunday, bringing the total number of victims to 17.
At least 16 people were murdered and more than a dozen more were injured in a bomb at Paracha Chowk in the city’s Shershah neighbourhood the day before.
Dr. Sabir Memon, the chairman of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Accident Emergency and Trauma Centre, acknowledged that the hospital had received 14 bodies earlier.
Ten injured persons were released after receiving proper medical treatment, according to DIG South Sharjeel Kharal, while six others remained under surveillance, including two who were on a ventilator.
SSGC denies police allegations
According to a Karachi Police spokesperson, the blast occurred in a gas pipeline flowing through a nullah in the region, inflicting massive damage to the building of a private bank that was built atop it, according to the bomb disposal unit’s report.
There was no evidence that the bomb was linked to terrorism, according to the spokeswoman.
In a statement, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) stated its staff had determined that there was “no SSGC gas pipeline” in the region. “The gas pipelines that have been placed in the vicinity are safe and have not been damaged.”
Police investigation
Police have gathered CCTV footage of surrounding locations, including a bank and an office, according to DIG South Kharal.
“By evening, we’ll have a clearer understanding of what happened,” he had added.
PM condemned blast
Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan had written on Twitter: “My heartfelt prayers [and] condolences go to all the families of victims of the twin blasts at Sher Shah Paracha Chowk, Karachi.”
Expressing grief over Alamgir’s loss, he had said: “I am especially saddened to hear of the loss of our MNA Alamgir Khan’s father who also perished in the blast. May Allah give him the strength to bear this loss.”
