KARACHI : At least five young MQM workers were killed and 12 others when injured when a bomb planted near the election office of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) at Nusrat Bhutto Colony, North Nazimabad, in Karachi went off on Thursday evening.
Among the dead, one was the son of a former MQM councillor whereas others were cousins.
DIG Police, Zaffar Abbas Bukhari said the MQM election office was the target of terrorists who had planted a bomb near the office, most probably in a motorbike.
According to reports, the powerful blast shattered the window panes of the surrounding buildings in the area. Several vehicles near the bomb location were also damaged as a result of the explosion.
Soon after the blast rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to local hospitals where the doctor said the condition of two of those wounded was critical.
According to national media reports, Tahreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed the responsibility for the deadly attack on the MQM office. TTP spokesman has also issued several warnings against the MQM in recent months and has warned people to stay away from MQM elections rallies.