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Karachi bomb kills Shia Muslims Karachi bomb kills Shia Muslims
(30 minutes later)
At least 11 people have been killed by a bomb attack in the Pakistani city of Karachi, hospital officials say.At least 11 people have been killed by a bomb attack in the Pakistani city of Karachi, hospital officials say.
The attack, involving a motorcycle bomb, targeted a bus carrying Shia Muslims to a religious procession. About 50 were injured.The attack, involving a motorcycle bomb, targeted a bus carrying Shia Muslims to a religious procession. About 50 were injured.
It took place on the main road of the country's commercial centre.It took place on the main road of the country's commercial centre.
Friday is the last and most important day of the Arbaeen religious festival, 40 days of mourning for the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.Friday is the last and most important day of the Arbaeen religious festival, 40 days of mourning for the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
It was not clear if the bomb was rammed into the bus by a suicide bomber or if the motorcycle was parked by the side of road. It was not clear whether the bomb was rammed into the bus by a suicide bomber or the motorcycle was parked by the side of the road.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmad said it was too soon to say what exactly had happened.
"We are examining the site. We are collecting the evidence. We are taking witness statements and then we will say something concrete," he said.
Security cordonSecurity cordon
The bus was one of dozens used to transport Shia mourners from all over the city to a central procession.The bus was one of dozens used to transport Shia mourners from all over the city to a central procession.
The attack happened on a commercial street near the main Sharah-e-Faisal road connecting Karachi airport with the city.The attack happened on a commercial street near the main Sharah-e-Faisal road connecting Karachi airport with the city.
About 50 people were injured in the bus blast
The main mourning procession is being held on MA Jinnah Road, which is guarded on all sides by heavy security to prevent a repeat of an attack on a Shia march in December which killed 43 people.The main mourning procession is being held on MA Jinnah Road, which is guarded on all sides by heavy security to prevent a repeat of an attack on a Shia march in December which killed 43 people.
But the attacker on Friday chose a different target, away from the security cordon.But the attacker on Friday chose a different target, away from the security cordon.
Mr Ahmad said the procession was continuing despite the attack.
There were reports of a second explosion outside Jinnah hospital where injured people from the first blast had been taken.
Sectarian tension between the Shia minority and the Sunni majority rose after the December attack, and riots erupted.Sectarian tension between the Shia minority and the Sunni majority rose after the December attack, and riots erupted.
Tension remains high, and paramilitary troops were deployed in the city days ago amid deadly clashes between rival political groups.Tension remains high, and paramilitary troops were deployed in the city days ago amid deadly clashes between rival political groups.
Also on Friday, at least 27 Shia Muslims were killed in the Iraqi city of Karbala as they took part in a major Arbaeen event.Also on Friday, at least 27 Shia Muslims were killed in the Iraqi city of Karbala as they took part in a major Arbaeen event.
Approximately a million Shia Muslim pilgrims are in Karbala to visit the Imam Hussein shrine at the end of commemorations.Approximately a million Shia Muslim pilgrims are in Karbala to visit the Imam Hussein shrine at the end of commemorations.


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