Suicide bomber kills 23 Shiite mourners in Pindi

ISLAMABAD (PAN’s garrison city of Rawalpindi late on Wednesday night, officials said, fearing the death toll could go up.

Another 50 people were injured in the attack on the procession that was marching to a mosque in the Dhoke Syedian area of Rawalpindi, police officer Saqib Zafar told Pajhwok Afghan News. Police had prior information about the assault.

The explosion took place after the bomber was intercepted by law-enforcement personnel when he was trying to join the Muharram procession. The death toll could rise as some of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

Saqib said the bomber tried to join the procession by crossing barbed wires and breaking the security cordon. He detonated his suicide jacket containing high-intensity explosives after being stopped by security personnel.

One intelligence agent, who did not want to be named, confided to Pajhwok that four live grenades were found at the scene. With human limbs scattered over a large area, angry mourners pelted policemen with stones and raised slogans against the administration.

nz/mud

Visits: 0