Karachi. At least one person was killed and thirteen others were injured in a blast in Karachi’s Saddar area late Thursday night. Security forces have sealed the blast site, which hosts food outlets, hotels, and markets, in one of the busiest areas of the city, Aaj News reported.

The deceased was identified as Umar Siddique.

The blast damaged cars and shattered windows of nearby buildings. The injured were moved to Jinnah Hospital.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the explosion and called for an investigation.

An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a bicycle near a garbage dump, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar informed Shah.

Most people were injured because ball bearings were used in the explosive device, said Jinnah Hospital Director Dr Shahid Rasool.

Bomb disposal squad report

Around two kilogrammes of explosives were used with half a kilogramme of ball bearing to create the IED.

The explosion was remotely controlled and a timer was also possibly used.

The bomb disposal squad will visit the blast site on Friday (today) once again.

The blast site has been cordoned off, with a heavy contingent of police and Rangers deployed in the area, while citizens are not allowed to pass through freely.

Just last month, a suicide bombing at the Karachi University Confucius Institute killed three Chinese academics and their local van driver.