KARACHI - SEVEN BOMB BLASTS ROCK CITY

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