Karachi: A powerful explosive device was defused today (Mar 15, 2004), which was hidden inside a small van parked next to the heavily guarded US Consulate in the Southern Pakistani city of Karachi.

According to reports, security guards outside the Embassy informed the police about the presence of an abandoned van parked adjacent to the building.

Police found a water tank in the van, which was filled with explosives. Police explosive experts disconnected a timer and detonators attached to the tank, a police officer is reported to have said.

Even as the reports are trickling in, a police officer is belived to have admitted that a major destruction has been avoided.