KARACHI: Two people were killed and 15 wounded when a bomb exploded near a local party office in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi late yesterday, officials said, the latest attack ahead of historic polls next month.
Police officer Imran Shaukat said two men riding a motorcycle threw the bomb close to the office of the secular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), causing the deaths and injuries.
MQM was a coalition partner in the recent government and has been threatened by Pakistan’s umbrella Taliban faction. Party spokesman Wasey Jalil said: “It was an improvised explosive device and the target was our party. It was hurled when MQM workers were erecting a party flag at a nearby electricity pole.”
Gunmen kidnap nine deminers
KANDAHAR: Gunmen have kidnapped nine deminers in Afghanistan’s restive southern province of Kandahar, officials said yesterday.
The men, all Afghans, were being driven back from a minefield on Monday when they were seized in Maiwand district, provincial spokesman Jawid Faisal said.
“They had just finished their work in the area and were riding in two cars when they were taken by a group of gunmen,” he said.
Kandahar police chief General Abdul Raziq confirmed the incident. “We don’t yet know who abducted them but we have launched a search,” he said.
Seven injured in hospital blast
Islamabad: At least seven people were injured in a cylinder blast at Mayo hospital in Lahore yesterday, Dunya News Agency reported.
According to hospital officials, the blast occurred when a gas cylinder exploded at the canteen of Mayo hospital, injuring six persons, including the manager of the canteen.
The injured were shifted to an emergency ward where four out of seven were said to be in a serious condition.
The hospital administration was trying to find out the cause of the explosion.
21 detained in Karachi swoops
Islamabad: Pakistani rangers carried out operations in various areas of Karachi city and detained 21 persons and recovered arms in the wee hours yesterday.
Security sources said the rangers carried out a targeted operation in Banaras area and held ten suspects, and recovered weapons, according to Karachi-based news channel Geo News.
An operation was also carried out in areas surrounding Super Highway and the forces detained 11 suspects and recovered weapons from them.
The operation was carried out in Bismillah market’s shops, godowns, hotels and flats after receiving information from intelligence agencies.
Surge in number of candidates
LAHORE: The number of candidates for national and provincial seats from Punjab province of Pakistan for the upcoming May 11 elections has increased 61 percent as compared to the 2008 polls.
As many as 8,202 candidates will contest national and provincial seats of Punjab next month, while in the 2008 elections 3,288 candidates had contested. In the May 11 general elections, 5,758 candidates are contesting Punjab Assembly seats and 2,444 are vying for the national assembly from Punjab.
AGENCIES
