Blast at Islamabad shrine wounds at least 31

ISLAMABAD: A powerful explosion at a shrine in the federal capital injured at least 31 people out of whom seven are said to be critical, DawnNews reported on Friday night. Initial TV reports suggest that the blast took place at the shine of Chan Pir Badsah in Pindorian neighbourhood near Shezad Town Police Station of Islamabad. An emergency has been imposed in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Poly Clinic hospitals of the city where injured were taken to after the incident. Dr Aisha of PIMS Hospital told the media that 24 people were brought in the hospital out of whom four were critically injured. Dr Khurram, an official at Poly Clinic Hospital said that three critically injured among seven people were brought in the hospital. The nature of the blast has not yet been verified but eyewitnesses told DawnNews that the explosion took place when food was being distributed amongst devotees. According to a spokesman of Islamabad Police, security has been put on red alert at all entry and exit routes of the capital. He said that after cordoning off the site of the incident, police, Rangers and Army commandos have launched a search operation to nab the culprits.