Iraq attack kills four Pakistani pilgrims: Officials
The coordinated attacks took place late Thursday near the town of Balad, with security officials and medics identifying the victims as Shias from Pakistan. There was no immediate confirmation from the Pakistani embassy.
An initial roadside bomb exploded near the bus at one of the main entrances to Balad, followed by gunmen opening fire on the vehicle before fleeing the scene.
A police lieutenant colonel in the town and a doctor at Balad's main hospital said four pilgrims, whom they identified as Pakistani citizens, were killed and 11 people were wounded. All of the victims were men.
Iraq, home to some of Shia’s most venerated sites, draws pilgrims from across the world, but they are often the targets of violence carried out by militants.
Violence in Iraq is down sharply from its peak in 2006 and 2007, when communal bloodshed left tens of thousands dead, but attacks are still common.
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So much for Muslim unity...ha what a joke these people are.
@Maria:
And how does the Pak govt plan to avoid such tragedies within Pakistan considering its own local Shia genocide, be it in Quetta, Karachi, Kurram, G-B, etc?
There were at least 4 passenger bus massacres in the last year or so alone targeting Pakistani Shia Muslims. Is that an exaggeration of conditions?
With rising Wahhabi/Salafi/Sunni Islamist extremism globally, Pakistani Shia Muslims are quite aware of how dangerous it is at these hot-spots and even Pakistan has become for them, despite the delusional nationalist homerism.
@SAD: @Mj: I agree with you both 100%. It is sad to see that Shia are not safe in Pakistan and even in the other countries where Al-Qaida has a presence. Not only Shia cannot perform their religious rituals in Pakistan but not even in Iraq their most sacred place. Yet some want to talk to these terrorists, killers of Muslims and hate mongers. What is the excuse of killing Shia now in Iraq? Regards, Mirza
Pakistani Shais are not even safe abroad from this Saudi-inspired menace.
The Foreign Ministry in Pakistan should warn citizens about traveling to unsafe countries in the Middle East like Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya to avoid such tragedies. Despite the exaggeration of conditions in Pakistan, people really have no idea about how dangerous these places are compared to Pakistan.