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Pakistan bombings: PM urges calm Thousands mourn Karachi bomb dead
(40 minutes later)
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has appealed for calm after two bombings in the city of Karachi killed 25 people and injured dozens more. Thousands of mourners have attended funerals for those killed in a double bomb attack targeting Shia Muslims in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
The death toll from Friday's bombings rose overnight to 33, with 165 injured.
A police official told AFP news agency more then 10,000 people had attended a funeral for 14 Muslim victims. Five Christians are to be buried later.
The attacks - the second at a hospital where victims of the first attack were being treated - targeted Shia pilgrims.The attacks - the second at a hospital where victims of the first attack were being treated - targeted Shia pilgrims.
A period of mourning is due to begin, amid fears of growing tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appealed for calm amid fears of growing tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Pakistan is home to al-Qaeda-linked Sunni militant groups. Security was tightened in Karachi as the mourners gathered.
The first of Friday's blasts - caused by a motorbike laden with explosives targeting a bus carrying Shias to a religious procession - killed 12 people.
Karachi: Volatile metropolis Violence haunts Karachi's streets Guide: Sunnis and ShiasKarachi: Volatile metropolis Violence haunts Karachi's streets Guide: Sunnis and Shias
Then, another bomb exploded outside the entrance to the emergency ward of the hospital where the victims of the first attack were being treated. At least 13 people were killed in that attack. Pakistani TV channels broadcast images from the sports field where the bodies of 14 victims were taken, showing many people dressed in black, beating their chests and chanting religious slogans.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Karachi has a long history of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia communities.
The first of Friday's blasts was caused by a motorbike laden with explosives targeting a bus carrying Shias to a religious procession.
Then, another bomb exploded outside the entrance to the emergency ward of Jinnah hospital, where the victims of the first attack were being treated.
Sectarian tension
The bombings happened in spite of tight security across Pakistan as Shias marked the end of the Arbaeen religious festival, with Friday the final and most important day of 40 days of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.The bombings happened in spite of tight security across Pakistan as Shias marked the end of the Arbaeen religious festival, with Friday the final and most important day of 40 days of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
Forty days ago, during the last major Shia festival, a suicide bomber killed 25 worshippers in the city.Forty days ago, during the last major Shia festival, a suicide bomber killed 25 worshippers in the city.
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.
Sectarian tension
Karachi police now think both bombs were remotely detonated. The first blast took place on a commercial street near the main Sharah-e-Faisal road connecting Karachi airport with the city.
ANALYSIS Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News This is the first time such a double attack has hit Karachi. Although no-one has yet accepted responsibility, the Taliban have often used such tactics in the North West Frontier Province.
The attack is likely to fuel more violence in what is already a volatile metropolis. Karachi is already reeling from weeks of unrest due to targeted political killings.
These started after political tensions boiled over following a similar attack on a Shia procession in December, which killed more than 40 people.
The bus that was attacked was one of dozens used to transport Shia pilgrims from all over the city to a central procession.
The attack injured about 50 people, who were taken to Jinnah hospital.
About an hour later there was a large blast just outside the emergency ward of the hospital.
The BBC's Jaffer Rizvi, who was at the scene at the time, said there was panic inside the hospital. Hundreds of people mourning those killed in the first attack had gathered there and were shouting slogans condemning both militants and the government.
Police officer Ghulam Nabi also told Reuters news agency another bomb had been defused after being discovered inside a TV set on the hospital premises.
Also on Friday, at least 40 Shia Muslims were killed in the Iraqi city of Karbala as they took part in a major Arbaeen event.
The Shia-Sunni schism originates from a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslims.The Shia-Sunni schism originates from a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslims.
Sunnis remain the majority globally, with Shias estimated to number about 10% of all Muslims.Sunnis remain the majority globally, with Shias estimated to number about 10% of all Muslims.
Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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