A Pakistani policeman was killed and 28 others, including three senior police officials and 10 journalists, were injured in two car bomb blasts near the American Cultural Centre in Karachi on Wednesday.

The Al Qaeda was suspected to be behind the blasts.

The first blast took place at around 1730 IST, injuring two persons. The second bomb, considered to be more powerful and placed in a car bearing Sindh government number plates, went off about 20 minute later just as police and press photographers were examining the damage caused by the first blast.

The wall of the council building was damaged.

The blasts caused panic in Karachi, Pakistan's largest metropolis housing over 15 million people.

Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Kamal Shah said the police examined another car and a scooter parked near the American Centre to make sure that the area was safe.