Five killed in blast near MQM election office in Karachi | Pakistan - geo.tv
KARACHI: Five people have been killed and 13 others sustained wounds after a powerful blast ripped through a car in Nusrat Bhutto Colony, North Nazimabad on Thursday night.
According to DIG Zafar Abbas Bukhari, the blast occurred outside one of the election offices of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility of today's attack on MQM.
The TTP had earlier declared democracy 'un-Isalmic' and issued threats of attack on MQM, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP).
Sources said that the explosive-laden car, bearing a government number plate (BL-005), blew up with a thunderous blast, smashing window panes of buildings surrounding the crime scene and damaging the cars parked in the close vicinity.
The police and emergency response teams have reached the blast site and started shifting the bodies and injured to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities and medical aid.
The deceased include three brothers, said Abbasi Shaheed Hospital's administration.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has condemned the incident in strongest terms.
The fresh blast pushes the tally of attacks on MQM in Karachi to three in the run-up to May 11 general elections.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan Ulema Council issued a Fatwa (decree) declaring the casting of vote a 'religious obligation'.
The decree from the competent Ulema Council came at a time when Pakistan is heading towards May 11 polls amid a wave of terrorists attacks in its three of four provinces and threats to political parties from militants outfits.
