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Bomb targets bus of Shia pilgrims in south-west Pakistan | Bomb targets bus of Shia pilgrims in south-west Pakistan |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 22 Shia pilgrims have been killed after a bomb struck a bus in Mastung district in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, officials said. | At least 22 Shia pilgrims have been killed after a bomb struck a bus in Mastung district in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, officials said. |
The pilgrims were returning from a trip to sacred sites in neighbouring Iran when explosives were detonated, causing one of a convoy of buses to catch fire. | The pilgrims were returning from a trip to sacred sites in neighbouring Iran when explosives were detonated, causing one of a convoy of buses to catch fire. |
More than two dozen people have been injured, some critically, a police officer told AP news agency. | More than two dozen people have been injured, some critically, a police officer told AP news agency. |
Sunni Muslim militants who often target Shias operate in the region. | Sunni Muslim militants who often target Shias operate in the region. |
An extremist Sunni group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, has previously admitted carrying out similar attacks against Pakistan's Shia minority. | An extremist Sunni group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, has previously admitted carrying out similar attacks against Pakistan's Shia minority. |
Balochistan ethnic nationalists are also waging an insurgency in the region for more autonomy. | Balochistan ethnic nationalists are also waging an insurgency in the region for more autonomy. |
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif both released statements strongly condemning Tuesday evening's bombing. | |
Hospital 'emergency' | |
Reports say the victims of the apparent attack - in Darin Garh, Mastung district - included women and children. | Reports say the victims of the apparent attack - in Darin Garh, Mastung district - included women and children. |
Emergency personnel rushed from the provincial capital, Quetta - about 60km (35 miles) to the north-east - to put out the flames and take the injured to hospital, reported Pakistan's Dawn newspaper. | |
"We have declared an emergency at hospital and doctors and paramedics are trying to save the wounded," local government official Shafqat Shahwani told AFP news agency. | |
It was not immediately clear what type of bomb was used or whether it was a suicide attack, provincial home secretary Asad Gilani said, according to AFP. | |
It is the second such attack in Balochistan this month. On New Year's Day, at least three people were killed when a suspected suicide bomber attacked a bus near the provincial capital, Quetta. | It is the second such attack in Balochistan this month. On New Year's Day, at least three people were killed when a suspected suicide bomber attacked a bus near the provincial capital, Quetta. |
Pakistan's Express Tribune says that amid the increasing number of attacks on Shia pilgrims, security on the Quetta-Taftan highway has been beefed up and buses carrying Shia pilgrims have been escorted by security personnel. |
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