KARACHI — One passerby was killed and at least nine injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a motorbike went off in a busy area of Saddar in Karachi late Thursday night, according to officials.

Between six and nine vehicles were damaged in the explosion, which occurred on Daud Pota road, Samaa TV reported.

The blast took place in the commercial locality of Saddar, which remains crowded at night because of the presence of restaurants and eateries on Daud Pota Road near the city’s oldest United Bakery.

The explosion caused substantive damage to property, including vehicles, in the area. Footage from the site showed a vehicle belonging to the Pakistan Coast Guards was also damaged in the explosion, reports Dawn.

According to Samaa TV report, a vehicle of the Pakistan Coast Guards was a possible target. However, the personnel in the vehicle remained unhurt.

Information Minister Sharjeel Minister confirmed that at least three people had been wounded, but other reports put the number of wounded at 11.

Shahid Rasool, the executive director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), said that one person had been killed. His body was moved to JPMC, located a few kilometres from the blast site.

JPMC Additional Police Surgeon Sumaiyya Tariq Syed confirmed nine injured have been brought to JPMC, adding that two of them were in critical condition.

“A 25-year-old victim was brought dead who was the hospital employer too,” Syed said.

Hospital sources said the injured suffered ball-bearing wounds, a hallmark of terrorist bombings in Pakistan.

The police cordoned off the area and called in the bomb disposal squad.

People were told to step away from the site as officials feared the first blast could be followed by another explosion.