Dozens killed, injured after blast hits Shias in Punjab, Pakistan

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Monday, January 16, 2012

A powerful bomb blast on a Shia procession in Khanpur, Punjab killed 20 people and injured 30 yesterday. Those responsible for the blast are unknown, although Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has been mentioned.

According to a police statement to Reuters, the bomb was detonated by remote control near an electric pole as the procession advanced towards the hussainia. Eye witnesses told that the loud explosion caused people to run away haphazardly. One of the witnesses, Imran Iqbal, apprised, "Debris was everywhere, and a cloud of dust engulfed us. Many people died on the spot." The wounded were rushed to local hospitals in Khanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

The people were processioning to mark the holy day of Arba'een.