by Jibran Khan

The Pakistani Taliban immediately claim responsibility for the attack. Gunbattle ahead of explosion. The building targeted place were detained and interrogated members of Lashkari-e-Jhangvi and the Taliban. The Taliban threaten to strike the president's house.

Karachi (AsiaNews) - At least 30 people were killed and 165 injured in a powerful explosion Tuesday evening in the city of Karachi, the economic capital in the south of the country.

The explosion struck a Crime Investigation Department (CID)building, where at least six terrorists Lashkari-e-Jhangvi and the Taliban have been detained in the past. Lashkari-e-Jhangvi is the most dangerous and violent militant group in the country.

The explosive, inside a truck, also destroyed other surrounding buildings, and according to initial estimates, at least 45 people are buried under the rubble. More than 10 policemen were killed, the blast was so powerful it  produced a crater about 6 feet deep. The explosion also damaged a mosque, several government buildings and private houses, as well as 50 cars.

Police sources say that before the explosion there was a gun battle between militants and security forces. The area where the attack took place is near the U.S. Consulate and several hotels frequented by Westerners.

Rescue operations are underway. More than 40 injured were transported to Karachi Civil Hospital, others to Jinnah Hospital. According to doctors, many injured are in critical condition. The Pakistani Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to target the house of the president.

The attack last night was the second serious incident to have occurred in Karachi in six months. Earlier, a mosque was targeted. In the explosion a dozen people died and many more were injured.

• Pakistan
• Karachi
• Taliban
• explosion
• police
• rebels
• death
• toll
• terrorism