Five killed, 14 injured in Karachi blast

Islamabad, April 26 (IANS) At least five people were killed and 14 others injured in a bomb blast that hit a political gathering in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, a media report said.

The blast took place Thursday evening near the election campaign office of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in Nusrat Colony of North Nazimabad area of the city, Xinhua reported.

When the blast hit the office, dozens of political workers were busy in preparations for the election campaign in the city.

Rescue teams and police rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Two of the wounded were reportedly in critical condition.

Deputy Inspector General of police Zafar Abbas said an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a motorcycle parked near the election office, and was detonated with a remote-controlled device.

The blast smashed window-panes of nearby buildings and damaged many vehicles.

The information department of the party said three brothers were among those killed.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and asked the authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.

Militant outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Tuesday, a similar blast targeted an election office of the same political party in Chowrangi area of the city that killed five people besides leaving 16 others injured.