Supporters of Pakistan People's Party gather at the site where a bomb exploded during an election campaign meeting in Karachi on April 27, 2013. – AFP Photo

KARACHI: The anti-democratic forces seem to have geared up against secular political parties of the country in a bid to destablise the first democratic transition of power as two major parties came under attack in three different bombings in Karachi on Saturday, killing at least five people and leaving more than 40 injured.

A corner meeting of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), held in the wake of coming May 11 polls, came under attack when at least three people, including a woman, were killed and around 20 others were injured in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood.

The PPP candidate for PS-111, Adnan Baloch was among the injured.

Earlier, at least two people were killed and more than 25 were injured in two separate blasts near the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) election office in the city’s Orangi Town area.

According to police, the bombings were carried out through planted devices in Qasba Colony locality.

Speaking to Dawn.com, DIG district West Zafar Abbas Bukhar said the first bomb was exploded outside the MQM election office while the second one followed it outside a nearby Shia Imambargah in the area. Bukhari also confirmed the number of casualties.

The twin explosions were so loud that they were heard from far away and damaged the nearby buildings and vehicles.

A complete power blackout was reported in the area after the explosions and injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Qatar Hospital

Saturday’s blast made a tally of five terrorist attacks in as many days in the metropolis, which is the financial hub of the country. At least 26 people have died in these attacks.

Although no group has so far claimed responsibility of both the blasts but the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) vowed to target secular political forces of the country – PPP, ANP and MQM. The banned outfit had claimed responsibilities of the Thursday and Friday attacks, targeting MQM and ANP respectively.

The MQM announced to observe a day of mourning throughout the Sindh province on Sunday. The party appealed to the masses to keep all businesses and transport shut today.

A high level security meeting was also called at the Karachi’s Rangers headquarters to review the overall law and order and formulate a fresh counter-terrorism strategy.

Around 11 people were killed and over 50 others injured when a bomb blast hit the election meeting of ANP candidate Bashir Jan in Karachi on Friday.

Whereas, at least five people died and more than ten others injured when a blast ripped through an election office of the MQM in Karachi’s Nusart Bhutto Colony on Thursday night.

On Tuesday, the blast near People’s Chowrangi in North Nazimabad had left at least five people dead and 15 others injured.

The spike in violence targeting the said political parties has raised concerns for law and order as the May 11 general elections draw closer.