KARACHI: At least three persons were killed while 18 others sustained injuries in two separate blasts in Karachi as thousands of mourners take out processions to mark the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) across Pakistan on Tuesday.
The first blast occurred near Capri cinema on MA Jinnah road in Numaish chorwangi area of Karachi minutes before the Chehlum procession was scheduled to pass the area but fortunately, no casualties took place.
The nature of the explosion was not yet clear, while the police sources said that the explosives were planted on a pole for a signboard situated along the route of the Chehlum procession.
After a short while, the second blast took place in Orangi Town No 10 area of the city that left at least three persons dead and 18 others injured including six volunteers belonging to different rescue organisations.
Thousands of mourners are paying homage to the martyrs of Karbala including Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Islam and to give eternal lease of life to the high values of humanity.
Stringent security measures have been put in place to maintain law and order and provide foolproof security to the processions.
More than 10‚000 troops of Pakistan army are assisting civil administration for maintenance of law and order throughout the country on the occasion of Chehlum.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on pillion riding for one day on the occasion of Chehlum Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in the province including Karachi for 24 hours.
Likewise, the provincial government has also imposed ban on carrying and displaying arms in the province for 10 days.
On the other hand, mobile phone services have been suspended in 31 cities throughout the country including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore, in line with the government’s security plan for Chehlum.
