Pakistan market bomb kills scores of Shia Muslims
Death toll estimated at more than 60 with 180 injured in remote-control bomb attack in Quetta
Injured Pakistani Shia
Muslims are rushed to hospital after a bomb exploded at a market in
Quetta. Photograph: Banaras Khan/AFP/Getty Images
At least 60 people were killed by a bomb in a Shia Muslim quarter of the Pakistani city of Quetta on Saturday.
The attack which also injured a further 180 people was believed to have been carried out by Sunni Muslim extremists who regularly target Pakistan's estimated 20 million Shias.
Officials said most of the dead were members of the Shia community which has been demanding protection from the government after attacks by militant groups led by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
Wazir Khan Nasir, deputy inspector general of police in Quetta, said: "The explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device fitted to a motorcyle. This is a continuation of terrorism against Shias."
Nasir said the bomb was detonated by remote control. Another officer, Samiullah Khan, said police were investigating whether the bomb was planted in a rickshaw parked in the crowded vegetable market. He said the bomb was detonated while dozens of women and children were shopping for the evening meal.
More than 400 Shias were killed in Pakistan last year, many by hitmen or bombs. The perpetrators are almost never caught. Last month, LeJ claimed responsibility for a bombing in Quetta that killed nearly 100 people, one of Pakistan's worst sectarian attacks.
The attack which also injured a further 180 people was believed to have been carried out by Sunni Muslim extremists who regularly target Pakistan's estimated 20 million Shias.
Officials said most of the dead were members of the Shia community which has been demanding protection from the government after attacks by militant groups led by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
Wazir Khan Nasir, deputy inspector general of police in Quetta, said: "The explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device fitted to a motorcyle. This is a continuation of terrorism against Shias."
Nasir said the bomb was detonated by remote control. Another officer, Samiullah Khan, said police were investigating whether the bomb was planted in a rickshaw parked in the crowded vegetable market. He said the bomb was detonated while dozens of women and children were shopping for the evening meal.
More than 400 Shias were killed in Pakistan last year, many by hitmen or bombs. The perpetrators are almost never caught. Last month, LeJ claimed responsibility for a bombing in Quetta that killed nearly 100 people, one of Pakistan's worst sectarian attacks.
Labels: Atrocities, Islamism, Pakistan, Terrorism
posted by Pieface | 9:48 AM
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