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Pakistan bomb: 20 die in Hangu Shia suicide attack | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 20 people have been killed and dozens injured in a suicide bomb attack outside a Shia mosque in the north-western Pakistani town of Hangu, reports say. | |
The attack took place as worshippers were leaving Friday prayers. | The attack took place as worshippers were leaving Friday prayers. |
The town of Hangu is close to Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal regions, which have a strong Taliban and al-Qaeda presence. | The town of Hangu is close to Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal regions, which have a strong Taliban and al-Qaeda presence. |
The town is also known for sectarian violence against Shias. | The town is also known for sectarian violence against Shias. |
No group has yet said it carried out the attack. | No group has yet said it carried out the attack. |
Local police chief Mian Mohammad Saeed said the bomb went off at one of the exits of the Shia mosque leading to the Pat Bazaar. | Local police chief Mian Mohammad Saeed said the bomb went off at one of the exits of the Shia mosque leading to the Pat Bazaar. |
"It was a suicide attack which targeted Shias but Sunni Muslims also fell victim since their mosque and some shops were also very close to the site," he said. | |
A motorcycle was packed with 7kg of explosives in a narrow street. | |
Security forces have cordoned off the area, and the injured have been taken to a local hospital. | Security forces have cordoned off the area, and the injured have been taken to a local hospital. |
Hangu is a Sunni majority town, but is located on the main route to the mainly Shia Kurram region. | |
Pakistan has experienced worsening sectarian violence in recent years. | Pakistan has experienced worsening sectarian violence in recent years. |
In November, 23 Shia Muslims were killed by a bomb in the city of Rawalpindi, and last month 19 pilgrims died in an attack on a bus convoy in Baluchistan. | In November, 23 Shia Muslims were killed by a bomb in the city of Rawalpindi, and last month 19 pilgrims died in an attack on a bus convoy in Baluchistan. |
Then on 10 January, more than 80 people died in twin blasts in a snooker hall in a Shia area of the city of Quetta. | Then on 10 January, more than 80 people died in twin blasts in a snooker hall in a Shia area of the city of Quetta. |