47 killed in bus attack in Pakistan's Karachi; Islamic State pamphlet recovered from the scene

At least 47 people from minority Shia Ismaili community were killed and several others injured after eight gunmen entered their bus and opened indiscriminate fire on the passengers in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, police said.

"Eight armed men on motorcycles opened fire on a bus at Safoora Chorangi, Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi, killing at least 41 passengers," a police official said.

The gunmen stopped the overloaded bus, entered inside it and open fire indiscriminately, the police said.

The attack came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Kabul and declared that enemies of Afghanistan are also enemies of Pakistan.

Latest updates:

14:33 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

* A blood-stained pamphlet of terrorist group Islamic State was recovered from the scene, according to a police official. But government has not so far named any group for the attack.

* Balochistan-based militant group Jundullah also claimed responsibility for the attack.

13:48 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

PM Modi condemns Karachi attack, says India stands with Pakistani people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in Karachi. He said "The attack in Karachi is deeply saddening and utterly condemnable. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased."

The attack in Karachi is deeply saddening & utterly condemnable. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2015

We stand firmly with the people of Pakistan in this hour of grief. I wish all those injured a quick recovery.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2015

13:19 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

COAS postpones Sri Lanka visit

As per a tweet shared by DG ISPR Asim Bajwa, General Raheel Sharif’s pre-scheduled official visit to Sri Lanka has been cancelled.

#COAS cancels his pre scheduled 3 days visit to Sri Lanka due to Kci terrorist Bus attack

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 13, 2015

12:26 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Pictures of #KarachiBusAttack at #SafooraChowrangi. At least 43 dead, 13 injured. 12 & 13 May will never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/2KlArFwyUy

— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) May 13, 2015

12:24 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemns terrorists attack on Karachi bus

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party has strongly condemned the worst terrorist attack on a passenger bus in Karachi.

“The brazen attack in the city center seems to be an open challenge to the society as a whole and the law enforcing agencies in particular,” he added.

12:24 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemns attack

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Karachi and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

12:18 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

According to Dawn newspaper, "An eye-witness said around six to eight men riding three to four motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire on the bus."

12:13 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

The death toll could further rise as about 20 others are seriously injured. The injured and dead were shifted to various hospitals by rescue workers.

12:12 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

According to tribune, "Initial reports revealed that the motorcyclists used 9mm pistols in the attack.

12:01 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Sad and tragic day for Pakistan -- biggest targeted attack ever on its Ismaili community and over 40 dead

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) May 13, 2015

12:00 IST Wednesday, 13 May 2015

More than 60 people were on the board the bus which was carrying the people of Ismaili community from Al-Azhar Garden area of the city to their place of worship near Aysha Manzil, police said.

"There were six attackers. They boarded the bus and carried out the shooting," said Police Superintendent Najib Khan.

Previous attacks

In March, suicide bombings outside two churches in Lahore killed 14 people and wounded nearly 80. Days later, a bomb after Friday prayers wounded 12 people outside a minority Bohra mosque in Karachi.

In February, 20 people were killed in an attack on a Shi'ite mosque in the northeastern city of Peshawar, and 60 were killed in a January attack on a Shi'ite mosque in the southern province of Sindh.

Taliban splinter groups have bombed several mosques belonging to religious minorities this year.