Karachi: One person was killed and 12 others injured in a bomb explosion in Saddar area of Karachi on Thursday night.

The blast occurred near a coast guard’s vehicle on Dr Daud Pota road. The blast destroyed several other vehicles. Police, Rangers and rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the body and injured people to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

According to Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar, an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the explosion.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident besides starting a search operation in surrounding areas. The explosion was so powerful that the windowpanes of nearby buildings were shattered due to the impact of the blast.

Dr Shahid Rasool, Director of Jinnah Hospital confirmed that eight injured people had been brought to Jinnah Hospital and most of them were injured by ball bearings. The deceased was shifted to Jinnah Hospital where he was identified as Umar Siddiqui.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the explosion and sought a report. He also declared emergency in the hospitals across the city. The Sindh CM directed top police officials to investigate the incident from every aspect.

Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab visited Jinnah Hospital to meet the injured of the blast. He was briefed by Jinnah Hospital Head Dr Shahid Rasool regarding the facilities being provided to the injured. Wahab directed the hospital administration to provide best medical facilities to the injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the Saddar blast and vowed that the anti-peace elements will be eliminated from the country. He directed Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah to provide the best medical facilities to the affectees of the Karachi blast.