A powerful explosion ripped through the Saddar area of Karachi, Pakistan, late Thursday night, claiming one life and injuring 13 people.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sharjeel Kharal, several cars were damaged during the blast while the windows of the nearby buildings were shattered.

All the injured have been shifted to Jinnah Hospital even as the officials are determining the cause of the explosion.

Pakistan-based Geo News reports that an emergency has been imposed in all public hospitals in Karachi, while the condition of four individuals admitted at the hospital is said to be serious.&nbsp;

Moreover, the injured have reportedly sustained injuries caused by ball-bearings, which are usually found in explosive devices.

This is the second time in two weeks that Karachi city has been hit by explosion.

On April 27, a suspected female suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers outside the Karachi university.

A separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) based in southwestern Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, claimed responsibility for the blast.

More details to follow.

(With inputs from agencies)

A powerful explosion ripped through the Saddar area of Karachi, Pakistan, late Thursday night, claiming one life and injuring 13 people. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sharjeel Kharal, several cars were damaged during the blast while the windows of the nearby buildings were shattered.

A powerful explosion ripped through the Saddar area of Karachi, Pakistan, late Thursday night, claiming one life and injuring 13 people. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sharjeel Kharal, several cars were damaged during the blast while the windows of the nearby buildings were shattered. All the injured have been shifted to Jinnah Hospital even as the officials are determining the cause of the explosion. Pakistan-based Geo News reports that an emergency has been imposed in all public hospitals in Karachi, while the condition of four individuals admitted at the hospital is said to be serious. Moreover, the injured have reportedly sustained injuries caused by ball-bearings, which are usually found in explosive devices. This is the second time in two weeks that Karachi city has been hit by explosion. On April 27, a suspected female suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers outside the Karachi university. A separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) based in southwestern Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, claimed responsibility for the blast. More details to follow. (With inputs from agencies)

1 killed, 13 hurt after powerful explosion rips through Pakistan’s Karachi city

Amid the&nbsp;tense situation in Pakistan for escaping the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, Pakistan's army chief has ordered an investigation into allegations that Sindh police chief was kidnapped by army troops.

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According to the reports, the police officers in Karachi have threatened to go on mass leave after the Sindh Police chief was allegedly kidnapped and coerced to act against PML (N) Vice President Marayam Nawaz Sharif.

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Sources in Islamabad said that Pakistan is rapidly slipping into a civil war-like situation with the ongoing tussle between the opposition parties, police and the Army.

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The Sindh Police on Monday had arrested Safdar Awan, the husband of Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the son-in-law of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, from a hotel in Karachi.

The arrest came just hours after the PML(N) Vice President criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government at a massive rally of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) — an alliance of 11 opposition political parties which have joined hands to challenge the Imran Khan government backed by the Pakistan Army. He was later released on bail.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has ordered an inquiry into Safdar Awan’s arrest after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari questioned the Army and the ISI about the incident in a tweet.

Pakistani media quoted Bilawal alleging that the Sindh Police chief was abducted by Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing for a few hours before Safdar Awan was arrested. Bilawal insinuated that Pakistan military had pressurised the Sindh Police to act against Safdar Awan.

The Dawn newspaper reported that a purported voice message by PML(N) leader and former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the Sindh Inspector General of Police, Mushtaq Mahar, was kidnapped and forced to register an FIR against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum.

Meanwhile, three people died and around 15 got injured after an explosion hit a four-storey building in Pakistan's Karachi on Wednesday (October 21). It is learnt that the massive blast occurred at a building opposite the Karachi University Maskan gate in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the tense situation in Pakistan for escaping the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, Pakistan's army chief has ordered an investigation into allegations that Sindh police chief was kidnapped by army troops.

Amid the tense situation in Pakistan for escaping the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, Pakistan's army chief has ordered an investigation into allegations that Sindh police chief was kidnapped by army troops. Also read | Pakistan religious scholar shot dead in Karachi According to the reports, the police officers in Karachi have threatened to go on mass leave after the Sindh Police chief was allegedly kidnapped and coerced to act against PML (N) Vice President Marayam Nawaz Sharif. Also read | Coronavirus: Hindus denied essential supplies in Pakistan's Karachi Sources in Islamabad said that Pakistan is rapidly slipping into a civil war-like situation with the ongoing tussle between the opposition parties, police and the Army. The Sindh Police on Monday had arrested Safdar Awan, the husband of Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the son-in-law of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, from a hotel in Karachi. The arrest came just hours after the PML(N) Vice President criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government at a massive rally of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) — an alliance of 11 opposition political parties which have joined hands to challenge the Imran Khan government backed by the Pakistan Army. He was later released on bail. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has ordered an inquiry into Safdar Awan’s arrest after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari questioned the Army and the ISI about the incident in a tweet. Pakistani media quoted Bilawal alleging that the Sindh Police chief was abducted by Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing for a few hours before Safdar Awan was arrested. Bilawal insinuated that Pakistan military had pressurised the Sindh Police to act against Safdar Awan. The Dawn newspaper reported that a purported voice message by PML(N) leader and former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the Sindh Inspector General of Police, Mushtaq Mahar, was kidnapped and forced to register an FIR against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum. Meanwhile, three people died and around 15 got injured after an explosion hit a four-storey building in Pakistan's Karachi on Wednesday (October 21). It is learnt that the massive blast occurred at a building opposite the Karachi University Maskan gate in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan abuzz with rumours of 'civil war’ after reports of Army kidnapping Sindh police chief

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29.&nbsp;Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”.

On June 29, four men carrying grenades attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and killed two guards along with a policeman before they were gunned down by security forces.

India had denied any involvement in the attack on the day of the attack, but Khan went on to say that he had “no doubt” about the country’s involvement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/opposition-lashes-out-at-imran-khan-for-calling-laden-a-martyr-308708" hreflang="en">Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr'</a>

Offering no evidence for his allegation, he claimed that there were intelligence reports of a potential attack in Pakistan, and that his cabinet had been alerted about such threats.

However, the responsibility of the attack was taken by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group from Balochistan.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-terrorists-attack-pak-stock-exchange-in-karachi-309343/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to Khan, his country’s intelligence agencies were able to avoid four major terror attacks, out of which two were aimed at Islamabad. He, however, added that it was “not possible” to stop stop such attacks.

The security officials claimed that the gunmen were carrying a heavy supply of armoury, and were planning to take hostages after storming the building.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/pakistan-eulogizing-terrorism-prime-minister-imran-khan-calls-bin-laden-a-martyr-308622" hreflang="en">Pakistan eulogizing terrorism: Prime Minister Imran Khan calls Bin Laden a 'martyr'</a>

Khan referred to the response of Pakistan security forces as a “big victory”, even though three people had died.

In Balochistan, separatists claim that Pakistan has been exploiting the mineral rich area to improve life in the already rich provinces.

Over the course of the last few years, Pakistan has accused India of supporting separatists multiple times, which has been fervently denied by India.

In 2018, the BLA also attacked a Chinese consulate in Karachi.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29. Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29. Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”. On June 29, four men carrying grenades attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and killed two guards along with a policeman before they were gunned down by security forces. India had denied any involvement in the attack on the day of the attack, but Khan went on to say that he had “no doubt” about the country’s involvement. Also read: Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr' Offering no evidence for his allegation, he claimed that there were intelligence reports of a potential attack in Pakistan, and that his cabinet had been alerted about such threats. However, the responsibility of the attack was taken by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group from Balochistan. According to Khan, his country’s intelligence agencies were able to avoid four major terror attacks, out of which two were aimed at Islamabad. He, however, added that it was “not possible” to stop stop such attacks. The security officials claimed that the gunmen were carrying a heavy supply of armoury, and were planning to take hostages after storming the building. Also read: Pakistan eulogizing terrorism: Prime Minister Imran Khan calls Bin Laden a 'martyr' Khan referred to the response of Pakistan security forces as a “big victory”, even though three people had died. In Balochistan, separatists claim that Pakistan has been exploiting the mineral rich area to improve life in the already rich provinces. Over the course of the last few years, Pakistan has accused India of supporting separatists multiple times, which has been fervently denied by India. In 2018, the BLA also attacked a Chinese consulate in Karachi. (With inputs from Reuters)

Imran Khan accuses India of attacking Pakistan Stock Exchange, offers no evidence