Karachi, December 28: A suicide bomber targeted the Muslim Shia Ashura procession killing at least 20 people and injuring 40 others in a sectarian hit here, marking a bloody start of the holiest day of Muharram.
The terrorist suicide attack came close on the heels of a militant bombing that killed eight people in Pakistan- Occupied-Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad and Karachi last night.
It was the third sectarian attack on the minority community in as many days in the port city of Karachi and came inspite of police and security agencies enforcing a massive vigil over the traditional procession route.
“Fifteen people were killed and many others wounded in the attack,” District administration chief Javed Hanif said.
Rescue officials said over 50 injured people were taken to nearby hospitals. Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
“We have retrieved a head of a bomber which confirms it was a suicide attack,” he told media. The procession was headed towards a nearby imambargah.
Dense smoke rose from the site of the blast as people ran in panic. Witnesses and reporters said police fired in the air immediately after the explosion.
Ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where an emergency was declared. Authorities had put in place strict security arrangements for Muharram, during which Karachi has often been hit by sectarian violence in past years.
A large police contingent was guarding the procession and sharp shooters were deployed on rooftops on key roads. However, the bomber managed to evade the security ring.
Angry members of the procession attacked media and police personnel and set five cars on fire. Two Muharram processions in Karachi were targeted by bomb attacks over the past two days.
Nearly 50 people, including women and policemen, were injured in these attacks. No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
—PTI