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Suicide attack on Pakistan Shias Suicide attack on Pakistan Shias
(40 minutes later)
At least 25 people have been killed and dozens injured in a suicide bombing on a Shia Muslim march in the Pakistani city of Karachi, officials say.At least 25 people have been killed and dozens injured in a suicide bombing on a Shia Muslim march in the Pakistani city of Karachi, officials say.
The attacker was walking in the middle of a procession with tens of thousands of people, said the interior minister. The attacker had been walking amidst a procession with tens of thousands of people, said the interior minister.
After the explosion, marchers turned their anger on ambulance workers, security forces and journalists.After the explosion, marchers turned their anger on ambulance workers, security forces and journalists.
Pakistan's security forces had been on high alert as Shia Muslims marked the holy month of Muharram, or Ashura. Pakistan's security forces have been on high alert as Shia Muslims marked the holy month of Muharram, or Ashura.
Monday was the climax of the holy period, which commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.Monday was the climax of the holy period, which commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, which comes amid an upsurge of attacks by Taliban militants in Pakistan.There was no immediate claim of responsibility, which comes amid an upsurge of attacks by Taliban militants in Pakistan.
Smashed ambulancesSmashed ambulances
Karachi has a long history of sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis.Karachi has a long history of sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis.
I am hearing people are clashing with police and doctors, that is what terrorists want, to see this city again on fire Mustafa KamalKarachi Mayor In pictures: Karachi march attacked Pakistan suicide blast toll rises Pakistan's sectarian schismI am hearing people are clashing with police and doctors, that is what terrorists want, to see this city again on fire Mustafa KamalKarachi Mayor In pictures: Karachi march attacked Pakistan suicide blast toll rises Pakistan's sectarian schism
There have been numerous attacks on such processions across the country over the last few days, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool.There have been numerous attacks on such processions across the country over the last few days, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool.
On Sunday, eight people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a Shia march in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. On Sunday, eight people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted a Shia march in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said the severed head of the bomber from Monday's attack had been found, reports Reuters news agency. Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed Monday's blast on extremists who wanted to destabilise Pakistan.
"My sister, her husband and children are dead," one mourner told AFP news agency, as he fled the scene of the blast. "Whoever has done this, he cannot be a Muslim. He is worse than an infidel," he told reporters.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said the severed head of the bomber had been found, reports Reuters news agency.
One survivor, Naseem Raza, told AP news agency: "I saw walls stained with blood and splashed with human flesh. I saw bloodstained people lying here and there."
Fleeing the scene of the blast, another mourner told told AFP news agency: "My sister, her husband and children are dead."
The bombing unleashed further pandemonium as angry Shia mourners fired shots in the air.The bombing unleashed further pandemonium as angry Shia mourners fired shots in the air.
Some marchers pelted the security forces who had been guarding the march with stones, the Associated Press news agency said. Rioters torched dozens of shops and vehicles, while members of the security forces who had been guarding the procession were pelted with stones.
Television footage showed smashed police vehicles and ambulances. TV footage showed smashed police vehicles and ambulances.
Karachi Mayor Mustafa Kamal appealed for calm.Karachi Mayor Mustafa Kamal appealed for calm.
Sectarian violenceSectarian violence
"I want to appeal to the people, to my brothers, my elders to stay calm. I am hearing people are clashing with police and doctors."I want to appeal to the people, to my brothers, my elders to stay calm. I am hearing people are clashing with police and doctors.
"Please do not do that. That is what terrorists are aiming at. They want to see this city again on fire," AP news agency quoted him as saying."Please do not do that. That is what terrorists are aiming at. They want to see this city again on fire," AP news agency quoted him as saying.
Our correspondent says an incident like this had been feared by the authorities. Stringent security measures had been put in place across the country over the last month.Our correspondent says an incident like this had been feared by the authorities. Stringent security measures had been put in place across the country over the last month.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in bomb attacks in recent months as Pakistan's army pursues an offensive against Taliban militants in South Waziristan and surrounding areas.Hundreds of civilians have been killed in bomb attacks in recent months as Pakistan's army pursues an offensive against Taliban militants in South Waziristan and surrounding areas.
Pakistan also has a long history of violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims that is estimated to have killed several thousand people in the last three decades alone.Pakistan also has a long history of violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims that is estimated to have killed several thousand people in the last three decades alone.
Some radicals in the Sunni majority regard Shias - who make up about 20% of the population - as heretics.Some radicals in the Sunni majority regard Shias - who make up about 20% of the population - as heretics.