Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KARACHI423
2008-07-09 08:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:  

KARACHI - SEVEN BOMB BLASTS ROCK CITY

Tags:  PGOV PTER PK 
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P 090835Z JUL 08
FM AMCONSUL KARACHI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0526
INFO AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 
AMCONSUL LAHORE 
AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 
CIA WASHDC
SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L KARACHI 000423 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI - SEVEN BOMB BLASTS ROCK CITY

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CONSUL GENERAL KAY ANSKE, REASONS 1.4 (b)
AND (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KARACHI 000423


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI - SEVEN BOMB BLASTS ROCK CITY

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CONSUL GENERAL KAY ANSKE, REASONS 1.4 (b)
AND (d)


1. (C) Two people were killed and 65 others wounded, nine
seriously, by seven bomb blasts that rocked predominantly
Pashtun sections of western Karachi within a one hour span on
the night of July 7, according to police and other sources.
The neighborhoods, located 15 to 25 kilometers north of the
Consulate were struck by a series of low level blasts that
also destroyed ten vehicles and five houses. In the
aftermath, there have been reports of gunfire and stoning of
passing vehicles by angry residents of the affected areas.


2. (C) RSO noted that the blasts were caused by locally
made IEDs. The explosive devices were low intensity, but two
contained around two kilograms of explosives each. None of
the bombs was reported to contain shrapnel. Residents in one
neighborhood observed two individuals on a motorcycle throw a
packet on the street shortly before a blast occurred in the
area. Other bombs were situated on bicycles, small trucks,
and one was left in a taxi. The bombs are believed to have
been ignited either by time delay or remote control. There
is no evidence at this time that a suicide bomber was
involved.


3. (C) Various theories have been floated as to the
responsibility for the blasts, but none have been proven. No
one has claimed responsibility for the bombings at this point.

Anske