Islamabad Bomb kills 23, several wounded

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: At least 23 people were killed and over 50 persons were seriously injured in a bomb blast near Sabzi Mandi in federal capital Islamabad on Wednesday morning, ARY News reported.

Emergency has been declared at all the hospitals of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The dead bodies and injured were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital and Polyclinic near  the scene. According to sources the death toll may rise further as scores of injured were in a critical condition.

Rescue agencies have started the relief and rescue operations at the crime scene at Sabzi Mandi.

Police and Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and began the search procedure.

AIG Operations Islamabad Sultan Azam Taimoori talking to media here said that five kilogrammes of explosives were used in the terrorist attack at fruit market. The explosives were kept in a crate of fruits.

The relatives of the victims of the attack running from pillar to post to search and identify their dear ones.

Authorities have declared emergency in hospitals to meet the situation.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the bomb attack in Islamabad. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali has summoned report over the terrorist attack.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain while condemning the attack has said that the terrorists are playing with the life and property of the people.