Explosions heard near ECP office in Karachi

KARACHI: Explosions were heard near the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) provincial office in Karachi.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Sajid Sadozai, the explosives were strategically placed inside a bag left on the side of a footpath.

The ECP provincial office where the blast occurred is located inside Karachi’s red zone.

The SSP said that the explosive material was kept in a shopping bag along the office’s wall. The bomb did not contain any ball bearings, he added.

Read more: Multiple blasts in Balochistan: 4 injured

Meanwhile, the South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said that unidentified individuals had placed a plastic bag with explosive material in the ECP office’s parking lot. A staff member responsible for cleaning cars noticed it and threw the bag near the passport office.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called on the scene. In a report the BDS stated that the ‘homemade’ bomb was made of 400 grams of explosives and contained a time device along with a 12-volt battery. The detonator was reportedly blown away with the explosion.

Grenade attack targets PML-N candidate

Meanwhile in Kharan, Balochistan, a grenade attack targeted the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Shoaib Nosherwani.

As per local police, unknown assailants tossed a hand grenade inside the politician’s residence. The explosion resulted in breaking of windows. However, no casualties were reported.

Read more: Hand grenade attack target polling station in Barkhan

The incident is currently under investigation.

Injuries reported as rival political parties clash

A clash between rival political parties in New Karachi sector 11-G on Friday resulted in at least two people sustaining injuries.

According to the local police, two people were injured when gunfire erupted during the clash.

The injured were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.