09/02/2010, 00.00
PAKISTAN
Send to a friend

Suicide attacks on Shia community in Lahore. 31 dead and over 200 injured

The attacks occurred yesterday afternoon during a procession of Shiite community attended by thousands of people. Bombings claimed by Sunni terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Shiites accuse the police of failing to maintain security. Several police stations targeted in overnight attacks.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) – The death toll from suicide bombings against the Shia community of Lahore (Punjab) yesterday afternoon now stands at 31 dead and over 200 injured. The attacks, claimed by the Sunni terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, targeted a procession for the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Ali, grandson of Muhammad and the main spiritual authority of Shiite Islam. The event draws thousands of people. The Punjab government has announced three days of mourning throughout the province and currently has deployed police and military to avoid tensions between the two communities.

According to local media, the first explosion occurred around 18:50 local time in the Karbala Gamay Shah area and injured several people. About 25 minutes later, two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the middle of the crowd in the Bath Chok and Anarkali areas causing carnage. Currently there are 31 dead  and 200 wounded, including dozens in a serious condition, which may increase the number of deaths.

During the night a crowd of Shiite Muslims attacked police stations, setting fire to a number of vehicles and shouting slogans against the police, accusing them of failing to ensure security during the procession.

For now, the government has sent army special forces to Lahore, to avoid further clashes.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Pakistan, suicide attack on police station: 14 dead and 40 injured
06/09/2010
Christians and Muslims show solidarity for Kirkuk attack victims
31/07/2008
Peshawar, attack on a mosque during prayer for peace: 11 dead and over 65 injured
17/01/2014
Zahedan: Double suicide bombing at mosque, 22 dead and 160 injured
16/07/2010
Pakistan, five arrested in Marriott attack
22/09/2008


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”