Rawalpindi: At least 20 people have been killed and over 40 others injured after a suicide blast hit an Imambargah located in Rawalpindi, a metropolitan of Pakistan.
According to rescue sources, the blast hit Shiite mourners near Qasr-e-Shabbir Imambargah in Dhoke Syedan area of Rawalpindi, killing 20 people and injuring over 40 others.
“Qasar-e-Shabbir Imambargah could accommodate almost 400 people at a time and the causalities might increase.”
According to witnesses, two people tried to enter the Imambargah and on resistance exploded their suicide vests. The police officials have confirmed that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
The rescue officials have started shifting bodies and injured to the local hospitals in Rawalpindi.The authorities have declared emergency in all hospitals across the city.
Security officials have cordoned-off the area.
The attack came hours after two bomb blasts killed at least three people near a gathering of Shi’ites in Pakistan’s commercial hub Karachi.
Pakistan’s military, one of the world’s biggest, has failed to break the back of militant groups despite launching several offensives against their strongholds in the northwest.
President, Prime Minister, political parties leaders condemn Rawalpindi attack
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the bomb blast in Rawalpindi that resulted in the loss of precious lives.
The President has also sought a detailed report from the concerned officials on the prompt.
He also prayed for the eternal peace for the departed souls.
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has decried the Rawalpindi bomb blast in the strongest of words.
He expressed grief and sorrow over the unfortunate incident.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain in his condemnatory message said that terrorists wanted to undermine the foundations of Pakistan.
“These extremists want to destabilize the country. They must be condemned at all forums”, said he.
Earlier, condemning the incompetence of the government, he had said that providing security to its people and acting against the enemies of state was the prime duty of rulers, failing which leaves no reason for them to hold onto the helm of the country.
Chief Ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad and many other leaders also condemned the blast.
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