Karachi Club Rocked by Grenade Attack

At least 19 people have been killed and over 40 others injured in a blast that ripped through a gambling club in the Pakistani port city of Karachi.

Initial indications were that the bomb was planted inside the club, but local television is reporting that two hand grenades were thrown into the club.

Local police official Mohammad Sarwar.

"This blast occurred inside a room. Something exploded, which according to our information, killed 5 people and injured more than 10 others. We have shifted the injured to hospital. This happened on the ground floor; there is a small crater in the ground."

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack at the club, which is located close to an area notorious for turf wars between criminal gangs.

Officials say the club itself is run by criminals.

Karachi has a long history of bloody feuds between rival ethnic, political and sectarian groups.