Three killed in grenade attack in Pakistan

Twin grenade attacks in Pakistan's biggest city on the eve of the country's independence day left at least three persons dead and over 40 injured. A woman and a child were killed and dozens were injured when unknown miscreants on a motorcycle threw hand grenades inside the Aga Khan Jamaat-Khana (prayer house) in Karachi's Ayesha Manzil area on Tuesday.

Shortly afterwards, miscreants also lobbed hand grenades at another Jamaat-Khaana in Metroville area. "They were two explosions at Ayesha Manzil and they caused more damage because prayers were taking place in the Jamaat Khaana and there was a large number of people present there," a police official said.

Following the explosion, extra contingents of law enforcers including Rangers and police reached the site and cordoned off the entire area. An official of the bomb disposal squad at the bomb site said the hand grenades appeared to be of Russian-origin and contained 200 gm of explosive material and ball bearings.

This is the first time that militants have attacked prayer houses of the peaceful Ismaili community in Karachi. The police also reported explosions in Hyderabad and Nawabshah.

A police official said that the miscreants had thrown hand grenades at stalls selling Pakistan flags for independence day celebrations. "One person was killed in Hyderabad," a rescue official said.