Three blasts rock Lahore Shia processions; six killed
PTI
LAHORE, September 1, 2010
Three blasts targeted Shia processions in this eastern Pakistani city today, killing at least six persons and injuring nearly 70 others in the latest wave of deadly terrorist attacks across the country.
The first two blasts, both of low intensity, went off near the Karbala Gamay Shah imambargah or Shia prayer ground after 6.35 pm.
The third and more powerful blast occurred at Bhatti Chowk at about 7.15 pm. Both sites are located close to the Data Darbar shrine that was recently targeted by suicide attackers.
At least six persons were killed and dozens injured, said officials of the private Edhi ambulance service. Fahim Jahanzeb, the spokesman for the state-run Rescue 1122 service, said a minor girl was killed and 25 others were injured.
Television images of the two blast sites showed people running helter-skelter following the explosions with some of the injured victims writhing in pain.
Officials at the Mayo Hospital said they had received nearly 70 injured.
The two blasts near Karbala Gamay Shah triggered a stampede among members of the Shia procession that injured several persons. Many members of the procession attacked policemen, saying they had failed to provide adequate protection to the gathering.
The procession was making its way from the old quarters of Lahore to Karbala Gamay Shah to mark Hazrat Ali’s death anniversary when the first two blasts occurred. The third explosion went off as rescue workers were rushing the injured to hospital.
A senior police officer told PTI that the first two blasts were caused by explosive devices hidden in motorcycles.
Reports said the third blast was caused by a suicide attacker though this could not immediately be confirmed.
Keywords: Pakistan blasts, Shia processions
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