Attack on Iraqi pilgrims kills 53

Attacker who had been distributing cake to pilgrims blew himself up near a police checkpoint.

BASRA: A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman killed at least 53 people and wounded scores in an attack on pilgrims at a checkpoint on Saturday.        

“A terrorist wearing a police uniform and carrying fake police ID managed to reach a police checkpoint and blew himself up among police and pilgrims,” police said.

The pilgrims had been on their way to a major mosque to the west of Basra, police said. Hundreds of wailing relatives packed into the city morgue searching for casualties.

Riyadh Abdul-Ameer, director of the Basra health office, told Reuters the blast killed 53 people, with another 130 wounded.

Officials said 15 million pilgrims have passed through the city by the end of Arbaeen commemorations.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2012.