KARACHI: At least 15 people were injured after an explosion took place on the ground during a local football match near the Hub area of Balochistan on Tuesday.
According to sources, the hand grenade attack took place when a football match between two local teams was underway at a football ground situated near Hub Balochistan today.
Sources further said the grenade attack took place at the spectators’ seat, injuring 15 people, including team players.
The blast appears to have been caused by a cracker, which someone threw into the ground and fled, according to rescue sources. The injured were shifted to Hub Civil Hospital for medical attention.
Lasbela SSP Tariq Ilahi, who inspected the site of the explosion, told the media that it was caused by a locally manufactured improvised explosive device (IED) that had been planted in the ground.
According to the SSP, the football tournament was dedicated to police martyrs. “The explosion occurred while the final match was being played,” he said, adding that police were investigating further into the nature of the blast and a possible motive.
Following the incident, a heavy contingent of security forces reached the spot and cordoned off the entire area. The law enforcement agencies also collected important evidence from the blast site while further investigation is underway.
Earlier, one Rangers official was martyred while eight others sustained injuries when a blast took place near the city’s Orangi Town number 5 area.
According to police, the blast took place near a Rangers vehicle that parked in the Mominabad area of Karachi’s Orangi Town. The Sindh Rangers personnel were busy snap-checking at the Mominabad neighbourhood when they were attacked with a cracker.
Rescue officials have informed that eight people, including two Rangers officials, are injured. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Rangers and police personnel have arrived at the site of the blast and cordoned off the area.
