Explosion in Karachi kills 47

Islamabad, Apr 11 (UNI) A powerful blast at a religious congregation in the port city of Karachi killed at least 47 people and injured several others this evening.

Hundreds of people had assembled at the Karachi Nishtar Park to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad and were preparing to offer 'Maghrib' prayers when the blast occurred.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao confirmed 47 deaths but eye-witnesses claimed that the toll could be higher and among the dead were two leaders of Jamat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat (JAS), which had organised the congregation.

''It was a sad incident in which 47 innocent people were killed,'' Mr Sherpao told PTV.

The bomb was planted underneath a stage at Nishtar Park where a religious congregation had gathered.

The injured have been admitted to local hospitals.

Reports from other parts of the city claim that an angry mob torched two gas stations at a busy Karachi road and a heavy vehicle near the site of the blast.

President General Pervez Musharraf has ordered an inquiry into the incident and condemned the act of terrorism.

This was the second major incident in Karachi in the last three days. At least 30 women and children were killed and nearly 50 others were wounded in last Sunday's stampede at a religious gathering held in the port city.

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