Suicide bombing in Karachi kills 20

[StarfarerBill]

Source: Associated Press

KARACHI, Pakistan – A suicide bombing targeting a Shiite Muslim procession in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi killed at least 20 people and wounded 60 more Monday, as Shiites across the country marked the key holy day of Ashoura.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Monday's attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives at the start of the procession.

Live television footage showed the blast and smoke billowing from the scene. Ambulances rushed to and from the area.

"So far, there have been 20 deaths reported in Civil Hospital. Around 60 more are wounded. Many of them are in critical condition," said Provincial Health Minister Sagheer Ahmad, adding the death toll could increase.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan

[Turborama]

1. The Times: 25 die in Karachi suicide bombing on Shia Muslims' holy day of mourning

Zahid Hussain in Islamabad

Riots broke out in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi today after a suicide bomber attacked a Shia Muslim gathering, killing at least 25 people and injuring 40, in the latest attack on a minority Muslim sect.

The bomber blew himself up at the front of the procession of hundreds and thousands of people in the city centre. They were marking the holy day of Ashura, a day of mourning for the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

The attacker managed to get into the procession despite heavy security and the deployment of more than10,000 police and paramilitary troops.

The blast caused mayhem with people running for safety. Violence broke out as angry protesters set on fire dozens of vehicles and buildings and attacked police. Intermittent gun fire was also heard in parts of the city.



The bomb blast site after the attack which killed 25 and injured 40.
Children as young as 8 were among the dead


A police car is damaged. Rioters were angry that the bomber got through despite stringent security


There was fury among the crowds who set fire to vehicles
and attacked police stations


Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6969737.ece