Sindh observes mourning on third day to Shikarpur tragedy
Suicide blast at Karbala-e-Moalla Imambargah in Lakhidar area of Shikarpur killed 57 people.
KARACHI (Web Desk / Agencies) – A day of mourning has continued on the third day (Saturday) across Sindh after a suicide blast at an Imambargah killed 57 people and injured dozens in Shikarpur district, Dunya News reported.
The blast hit Karbala-e-Moalla Imambargah in Lakhidar area of Shikarpur, around 470 kilometres (300 miles) north of Karachi, as around 400 worshippers attended Friday prayers.
The atmosphere was tense in the area after the incident, with crowds of emotional residents massing outside hospitals.
According to initial investigation report, it was a suicide attack. This was confirmed by DIG Larkana Saein Rakhiyo Meerani as well.
RDS, C-4 and ball bearings were used in the bomb weighing five to seven kilograms, a BDS official said.
Jundullah, a splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan which last year pledged support for the Islamic State group based in Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility of the attack, Reuters reported.
Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, All Pakistan Shia Ulema Council and Jaa’fria Alliance announced strike in the whole province on Saturday.
Jaa’fria Alliance head Allama Abbas Kumaili said that the government has failed in protecting citizens and therefore martial law should immediately be imposed in Sindh province.
Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen also staged a demonstration at Numaish Chorangi against terrorism. The demonstrators blocked the MA Jinnah Road in protest.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has announced Rs500,000 for heirs of each of the deceased and Rs100,000 for every seriously injured victim.
The attack came as Pakistan tries to adopt new measures to tackle extremists following a massacre of 134 children last month at an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
The government has pledged to crack down on all militant groups, reintroduce the death penalty, set up military courts to speed convictions and widen its military campaign in lawless tribal areas.
