Firing at Al azhar garden bus

At least 42 people have been killed and 13 others injured when some unknown gunmen attacked a passsenger bus near Safoora Chowrangi in Karachi,

Reportedly, sixteen women were among the dead.

"At least six gunmen attacked a bus in the Safoora Goth area of Karachi," a senior police official told

The bus was enroute to Ayesha Manzil from Al-Azhar Garden.

"The gunmen stopped the bus and first fired at it from outside," said the policeman. "Then they entered inside the bus and open fire indiscriminately. After that they checked to see if anyone was left uninjured."

"The bus had a capacity of 52 passengers but it was overloaded and dozens of people were boarding it. Most of them were from (the) Ismaili community," he added.

The attackers managed to flee from the scene on three motorbikes. Fear and panic gripped the area after the incident.

Senior police officials including IG Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali, Additional IG Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo, SSP Malir and DIG East reached the attack site and investigations are being carried out.

Rescue teams have shifted the victims to Memon Medical Institute and Hospital where an emergency has been imposed. The condition of several injured persons is said to be critical.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah suspended the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Station House Officer (SHO) of the area.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives.

He has directed the concerned authorities to submit a report.