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November 26, 2012

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Taliban attacks in Pakistan kill 31 in five days

A BOMBING claimed by the Taliban killed at least six people and wounded some 90 others at a Shiite religious procession in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, as the minority Muslim sect observes the annual Ashoura holiday.

At least 31 have now died in five attacks on Shiites claimed by the Pakistani Taliban in the past five days, while about 100 were wounded in the run-up to the holiday, which commemorates the 7th century death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. The schism between Sunni and Shiite Muslims dates back to that time.

Yesterday's explosion went off as hundreds of Shiites were passing through the main intersection of the city of Dera Ismail Khan, area police official Abdul Sattar said. An initial investigation suggested a bomb was planted near a shop along the procession route, he added.

Several of injured are in serious condition, said local hospital official Dr Faridullah Mahsud, adding that three members of a paramilitary unit providing security were among the injured.

The Pakistani Taliban, a Sunni extremist group, frequently attacks Shiites, who they consider heretics. Ashoura ceremonies are a prime target, since they draw large crowds that march in processions to mourn the martyred Imam Hussein.

Qais Abbas, a Shiite survivor, said the procession was in the Chogla intersection of the city when the bomb went off. One of his relatives was in critical condition, he said, but he and others were moving the wounded to other hospitals that were better equipped.

"Here we are not getting proper care for them, there are not enough doctors or medicines," he said.

The same city was hit by a similar bombing on Saturday, which killed seven and injured 30.

Last Wednesday night, a Taliban suicide bomber struck a Shiite Muslim procession in Rawalpindi, a garrison city near Islamabad, killing 17 people. Also last Wednesday, the Taliban set off two bombs outside a Shiite mosque in the southern city of Karachi, killing one person and wounding 15 others. Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for all the attacks, with spokesman Ehasanullah Ehsan saying that the group will not relent and "looks forward to more ahead."

Authorities have deployed thousands of additional police across the country to beef up security for the holy day.




 

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