» 11/24/2012 11:15 PAKISTAN Muharram in Pakistan: bomb during a Shiah procession The attack occurred in an area where Sunni extremist groups proliferate, linked to al Qaeda. For Sunni fundamentalists, the Shiite festival is a heresy. For the holy month of Muharram, other attacks are feared above all in Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta.
Peshawar (AsiaNews/Agencies) - A roadside bomb exploded while
a Shiah procession was passing by. The attack occurred in the town of Dera
Ismail Khan, in an area with large number of
Sunni militants. The bomb was placed in a trash can and left seven dead and 17
injured. The police have placed many cities of Pakistan under surveillance,
fearing further attacks during the month of Muharram, the month sacred to Shiahs,
who in it memorialize the martyrdom of Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law, the
foundation of their tradition.
President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the attack.
The attack today took place in the north-west part of the
country, where there are many groups of Sunni extremists linked to al Qaeda.
For Sunnis, Shiahs are heretics and must be eliminated.
The Pakistani security services expect more attacks during
the month of Muharram, which began on November 15 will last until December
13. These days around the 24th are the culmination of the festival
(ashura).
The cities most at risk are Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta. In
Karachi at least 5,000 policemen will be engaged in the controls for the next
two days.
