Islamabad, Dec 29 (IANS) At least six people were killed and more than 50 injured Saturday in a bomb blast in a bus in Pakistan’s southern port city Karachi, officials said.
The blast took place around 3 p.m. when a passenger bus was passing Cantt Station area, Xinhua reported. The bus was on its way from Karachi to Sargodha.
Raja Umar Khitab, superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the blast occurred at the rear door of the 47-seater bus, and that the explosive material was hidden inside the luggage of one of the passengers.
Seemi Jamali, medical superintendent at Jinnah Hospital in Karachi, confirmed that the hospital received six bodies and over 50 injured people, including women and children.
At least eight of the injured were in critical condition.
Police said the bus was destroyed in the attack while another bus and several motorbikes parked at the site were also damaged.
A fire erupted in the area that caused damage to nearby shops.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has asked the inspector general of Sindh Police to submit a report.
Prime Minster Raja Pervez Ashraf condemned the blast and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property.
