23 killed, dozens injured in Islamabad Sabzi Mandi blast
09 April, 2014
ISLAMABAD: At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured, some critically, on Wednesday when an explosion occurred behind the Metro Shopping center in the Sabzi Mandi area of the capital city.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the site of the incident after the explosion occurred.
Acting IG, Khalid Khattak said that there was no prior information about the attack from the intelligence sources. He said that hundreds of trucks carrying vegetables and fruits arrive at the Sabzi Mandi everyday and it was possible for the police to check each and every truck
Police said that the explosives were planted in a guava box, which at the time of auction went off with a big bang, leaving scores of persons dead and injured. The guava boxes were brought from Burewala, Arifwala and Pakpattan.
The bodies and the injured were immediately shifted to PIMs hospital.
The blast occurred at a time when labourers and early morning shoppers were busy purchasing fruit.
Police also arrested a 'suspicious' person from the location of the blast. Sabzi Mandi is situated in the sector I-11 of the capital city and a kachi abadi of Afghan nationals is also located in the same sector.
Fruit sellers and vendors complained lack of security despite potential threat from the terrorists.
According to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Vice Chancellor Prof. Javed Akram, 31 injured in the blast were given medical treatment in the hospital and the death toll was likely to increase.
The attack occurred just prior to the Corps Commanders' Conference which will be held today.
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