High intensity blast hits Karachi, casualties feared

ISLAMABAD - A high intensity blast targeting a police station in Pakistan’s southern port city Karachi Thursday damaged several buildings, leaving many injured, a media report said.

Geo TV reported 15 people were killed and more than 50 injured.

“Suspected militants arrested a day before were present in the police station building”, the channel said adding that number of casualties is feared to rise.

The dead mostly include police officials while women and children have also been hit in the posh and thickly populated area.

The house of the Sindh chief minister, the Sheraton Hotel and other important buildings are located nearby in the high security area.

Rescue operations are underway while an emergency has been declared in city hospitals. Several buildings have been razed to the ground and people are trapped under the debris as thick black smoke is emitting from the blast site.

Sindh interior minister Zulfiqar Mirza reached the spot and is monitoring rescue efforts.

“The blast took place after an explosive laden vehicle hit the police station building,” Mirza said, adding that the nature of the blast was similar to that of 2008 Marriott Hotel blast in Islamabad.

Banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.