Pakistani Shia Muslims carry the coffins of relatives during a mass burial ceremony in Quetta on February 20, 2013. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The attack took place at the busy Iqbal avenue in the southwestern city, the capital of Balochistan where the surge in sectarian unrest has killed scores of Shias.
"The driver and a passenger boarding the taxi, both were Shias. They died after unknown gunmen fired at their car," said Fayyaz Sumbal, a senior police official in Quetta.
He said that the two attackers were waiting for the taxi to arrive at the busy avenue and escaped on a motorbike after spraying bullets at the vehicle.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant group officially banned by the government in 2002, usually claims responsibility for attacks on Shia Muslims.
Elsewhere in Balochistan, two people were killed and three wounded in a bomb attack on a mosque close to customs offices at the Chaman border crossing to Afghanistan.
A local senior official Ibrahim Baloch gave the death toll for the Chaman bombing and said that a second bomb had been found in the area.
"We suspect that one of the dead had been trying to plant the bomb, but we can't confirm this suspicion at the moment," he said.
COMMENTS (21)
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'' I hope that common sense wil prevails so that PPP and MQMcan sit together with nationalist parties and makesure that Sindh stays secular,regardless of who is in govt. After all, our future is in this land.''.........
Only a secular Pakistan can survive in the future secular world order .
Its best if the Shias flee to safer places like India, China or even Afghanistan before they are completely annihilated..No hope for them in Pakistan.
RIP the departed souls. But why ET only publishes the sect of killed ones who only belong to Shia Community. I bet other communities too deserve the coverage.
Hazara Shia targeted again, When will Pak govt start taking steps to stop the perpetrators ? They know who they are. Peace to the deceased and their familys.
May ALLAH unite all of us Muslims. Ameen
I don't think killing Hazaras are the way to heavens. stop killing "Hazara"
i wish for a day when sunni muslims are respected the same way and their loss is also identified and mourned
@Aysha M: For the first time I agree with you. A condemn able and horrific act. Inna Lillah he Wa Inna Elihe Rajeeon.
@Aysha M: Our heart and soul have been bleeding since long but how much can we sustain? But what can we even do?
The continuous attacks on Shias all over the country is just terrifying. I hope our province can stop the radicalization process which has effected the rest of the country.
I hope that common sense prevails so that PPP and MQM can sit together with nationalist parties and make sure that Sindh stays secular, regardless of who is in govt. After all, our future is in this land.
so can we discuss that mosque where shia and sunnis pray together?
@Abulahmed:
And along with it the concept of declaring 'takfir'. Only then peace will prevail in Muslim lands.
Ch. Nisar, Where is the much trumpeted national security policy? Oh you are waiting for the APC while the blood of innocent shias continues to spill. Or you don't value their lives, as according to the statements of your party, there was no terrorism in pakistan before 2001 not considering the bloodshed of the 1990s. You along with the self righteous, born again Muslim, Mr. Iftikhar ch, are equally to be blamed for this genocide. There isn't a slightest of effort on your part to show your regret towards what's happening. Shame on both of you, along with the elements of state within the state.
Govt. should launch nationwide protests against killing of 4 kashmiris.
The government should act immediately to arrest the culprits.
It's been happening for the past 1400 years. Its just that now its being highlighted due to the media.
Only two & not ten. It means FC has improved its performance. IG FC should be given a bonus.
I hope that the land of the pure witnesses a time when people are only concerned about others in times of need; else, they just focus on their OWN lives and find happiness WITHIN.
I wonder if we have any security agency in our country? It seems terrorrists have a free ride.
My heart goes out to our shia brethren