Shikarpur carnage death toll climbs to 61, funeral prayers offered

By
AFP
|
Shikarpur carnage death toll climbs to 61, funeral prayers offered
SHIKARPUR: The death toll in the suicide blast inside Imambargah Maula Karballa in Lakhi Dar area of Shikarpur climbed to 61 on Saturday after several more of the injured succumbed to wounds in hospital, officials said.

Sources said that several people were still critically wounded in hospitals.

Thousands gathered at Lakhi Dar chowk in Shikarpur to attend funeral prayers for 41 of the victims.

SSP CID Raja Umar Khattab said on Saturday that about six kilos of explosive material was used in the suicide blast. He added that the bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body "in the middle of the mosque".

"The bomber selected a place in the mosque that would cause huge destruction," said Khattab.

He further said that the bomb was loaded with steel pellets, ball bearings and other shrapnel to cause maximum damage.

On Friday, scores of worshipers were present inside the Imambargah for Friday prayers during the time of the blast.

A strike was being observed in various cities across the province on the call of Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) and Shia Ulema Council (SUC) in the wake of the suicide blast.

Various parties including MWM protested against the tragedy at Lakhi Dar chowk along with the bodies of the deceased.

All markets and shops are shut in Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Dadu and Khairpur.

Markets were also closed in Naushahro Feroze on the call of Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) and various Shia organizations, while traffic was scarce too.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings today in Sukkur.

Protesters also staged sit-ins at Numaish Chowrangi, Malir 15, Shah Faisal colony, Shahrah Faisal and other areas in Karachi. Pakistan Highway was also blocked by demonstrators near Incholi Society.