One dead, nearly dozen injured as explosion occurs in Karachi's Bolton market

KARACHI: A woman was killed and around a dozen people, including three police officials, were left injured after an explosion occurred at Karachi's crowded  Bolton  Market in Kharadar on Monday evening.

Officials said that a police vehicle was the target of the blast, which occurred after an improvised explosive device (IED), planted in a motorcycle,  exploded. 

They said three policemen — including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) — sustained injuries.  All the injured have been shifted to a hospital, while an emergency has been imposed across all public healthcare facilities in the city.

According to Geo News,  the sound of the blast could be heard in far-off areas, while people present at the site of the incident started running here and there in a state of panic. 

The fire brigade reached the site of the incident and doused the flame. According to hospital sources, 11 people, including one child and the police official, were currently under treatment. 

PM Shehbaz condemns blast

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and expressed his sorrow upon the demise of a woman in the blast. He also showed sympathy towards all those injured in the explosion and directed the authorities concerned to arrest the perpetrators involved in the crime as soon as possible.

PM Shehbaz further assured the Sindh government of complete assistance from the Centre and ordered enhancing the security situation across the country.

He also asked the provincial government to ensure the injured received state-of-the-art treatment facilities.

Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz also condemned the incident and prayed for the early recovery of the people injured in the blast.

"Only through unity and consensus can we stop such incidents [...] the enemy is conspiring to create instability in the country," the chief minister said in a statement.

To foil the attacks, the chief minister said officials would have to think beyond politics and in the interests of the nation.

MQM-P Rabta Committee condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.

"Increasing terrorist incidents are alarming [...] law enforcement agencies (LEAs) should deal with terrorists with an iron fist," the body added.