Karachi blast: At least 15 killed, over 100 injured

Karachi, Pakistan:  A powerful explosion has been reported near the official residence of Sindh Chief Minister in Karachi. At least 15 people are reported to be dead and over 100 others injured in the blast.

Footage showed bloodied victims leaving the site of the blast. Initial reports suggest 5-6 people opened fire before the blast. 

The explosion rocked a high-security area of Karachi that is home to the US Consulate, two luxury hotels and the offices of government leaders, showing the reach of Islamist militants in the city despite efforts to crack down on them.

Gunman first opened fired on the office of the Crime Investigation Department before detonating a massive car bomb, said Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza. The building has a detention facility that was believed to be holding criminals, and possibly militants.

The blast, meant to secure release of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorists, targeted the office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Central Investigation Department (CID).

Earlier this week, the CID arrested six members of the militant Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group. The suspects were presented before a court earlier Thursday.

The blast was heard several kilometers away in this city of 14 million people. It destroyed much of the several-story police building, damaged nearby houses and left a 10-feet (three meter) wide crater in the road. The US Consulate was around a mile (1.5 kilometers) from the blast and was undamaged.

"We heard different kinds of firing for several minutes and then a deafening explosion," said Ali Hussain, who was covered in dust. "The roof of our house collapsed."

Pakistan is battling Islamist militants with links to Al-Qaida that are trying to overthrow the US-allied government. The insurgents have repeatedly bombed government, police and Western targets over the last three years, including in Karachi. (With inputs from agencies)