Muharram 9: Eight people die despite 'stringent' security measures
The government had claimed that strict security arrangements were made across the country to ensure processions took place without any major incidents. However, a blast in DI Khan and firing in Sargodha belied that claim.
At least eight people were killed when a bomb went off in DI Khan. Seven others were injured in a clash between two groups in Kot Momin Sargodha. A chemical explosion was also reported in Karachi
The government has relaxed a block on cellular services and pillion riding banned in parts of the country, though these will be re-enforced early on Sunday.
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END OF LIVE UPDATES
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This Reuters photo shows a boy sporting a bandanna reading "Oh Hussein" during a Muharram procession in Lahore on November 24, 2012.
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9:30 pm
Chemicals exploded in an apartment in Khayaban-e-Bukhari, in Defence, Karachi, Express News reported.
SSP Special Investigation Unit Raja Umar Khattab said that the explosion took place due to a reaction of chemicals which were being used by suspects. He added that initial investigations had revealed that the suspects were possibly processing narcotics in the apartment.
The SSP added that they had information about four suspects who were living in the flat in addition to a six year old girl. He said that the suspects used a black Toyota Corolla car. He ruled out any terrorist activity.
An eye witness said that they had seen an injured man flee the area immediately after the blast. They added that suspicious men had arrived a few days before to live in the apartment.
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9:00 pm
Minister of Interior Rehman Malik, noting that processions have culminated in various cities, ordered that mobile services should be restored, Express News reported.
The services have been restored partially, but they are due to be suspended again at six am on Sunday, November 25, 2012.
Meanwhile, Rehman Malik said that authorities had seized a truck in Qila Saifullah which was loaded with a powder-keg, RadioPakistan reported.
The interior minister said there are threats for Karachi tomorrow and measures are being taken to prevent any untoward incident. Additionally there were specific threats from different militant groups for tomorrow in Peshawar‚ DI Khan‚ and Charsadda while Punjab was also on alert.
Pillion riding ban violated
While the government had imposed a near country-wide ban on pillion riding, Express News reported that the ban was flaunted in Rahimyar Khan, Sargodha and Gujranwala.
People were seen freely moving about the city on the two-wheelers with one or more passengers without being intercepted by law enforcement personnel.
Quetta
Muharram procession in Quetta culminated at Kalan imambargah on Prince Road.
Peshawar
The main procession in Peshawar culminated at Hussainia Hall imambargah.
The main Muharram procession in Haripur culminated at Qadeemia Mohalla imambargah.
Rohri
Express News correspondent Shahzad Tabani reported that the main procession in the city has reached Karbala ground.
Sargodha
At least seven people were injured when two groups clashed near Kot Momin in Sargodha.
The clash occurred between a local Sunni group and with members of a Muharram procession.
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This AFP photos shows a boy as he tries to kiss a horse during a religious procession on the ninth day of holy month of Moharram in Karachi on November 24, 2012.
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7:00
Karachi
The main mourning procession has concluded after reaching its destination at Hussainia Irania imambargah in Kharadar.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that the procession was escorted by heavy contingents of Police and Rangers personnel and that no information was received about any suspicious terror related activities.
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6:00 pm
Rohri
In Rohri, mourning processions which have been taken out every year for the past 500 years are currently in the process of concluding. Thousands of people are present in the processions, and sermons are underway.
Karachi
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reports that the main procession which commenced from Nishter Park has reached Kharadar, from where it will make its way to its destination Hussainia Irania imambargah.
Lahore
Express News correspondent Saqib Butt reports that security forces have deployed a mobile lighting platform which provides light for mourners taking part in the procession.
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This AFP photo shows a soldier frisking a small child at Muharram processions in Quetta on November 24, 2012.
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5:00pm
DI Khan
Collective funeral prayers were offered at Nishtar Park for the six children killed in today’s blast, Express News reported.
Gujranwala
The main procession is due to commence in the city. Mourners will be expressing their grief in a number of ways, including walking over coals.
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4:30pm
Rawalpindi
Police say that the security plan in Rawalpindi for Muharram 10 main procession has been finalised, reports Express News.
At least 6,000 police officials will be providing security to the procession, while aerial monitoring will also be done. Participants of the procession will be checked at four places before they join the procession.
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This AFP photo shows a Shia girl taking part in a Muharram procession in Peshawar on November 24, 2012.
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3:45pm
DI Khan
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the DI Khan bomb blast that killed seven people today, reports AFP.
"We carried out the attack against the Shia community," spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.
Peshawar
The provincial government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa contacted the federation over suspension of cellular services, Express News reported.
The home department of K-P said it had ordered for not blocking cellular services from 3pm to 6pm earlier.
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3:20pm
Rohri
The 500-year-old historic Shama Gul Matami procession is on its way in Rohri, reports Express News correspondent Shahzad Tabani.
Tabani adds that around 5-8 suspects have been arrested from the city, while around 15 people have fainted due to the rush.
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3:00pm
Karachi
A matam procession has emerged from the Haidery imambargah in Orangi Town area of Karachi, reports Express News.
Sargodha
Express News reports that pillion riding continues in Sargodha despite the ban by government.
The government had banned pillion riding across the country on Muharram 9 and 10 to ensure law and order.
Multan
Eight suspects have been arrested from the Mumtazabad and Cantt area of Multan – the areas where the biggest Muharram procession of south Punjab is passing through, reported Express News.
According to police, the suspects belong to Waziristan and have been shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.
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2:00pm
Karachi
Zuhrain prayers are currently being offered at Imambargah Ali Raza.
A suspicious vehicle has been found on the route of the main procession.
Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has confirmed that this vehicle was stolen four days back from the Darakshan Police Station jurisdiction.
AFP photo shows a Rangers official using a metal detector along the roadside during a Muharram procession on the ninth day of the holy month in Karachi.
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1:55pm
Karachi
The main 9th Muharram procession has reached Numaish Chowrangi and will reach Ali Raza Imambargah within a few minutes, reports Express News correspondent Wasiq Muhammad.
A heavy contingent of police and Rangers has been deployed to accompany the procession and monitor all routes.
All entry and exit routes have been blocked, with only two entry routes open which are heavily guarded by police, Rangers and scouts.
350 CCTV cameras are being used to monitor the procession while more than 4,000 police personnel and more than 5,000 Rangers personnel have been deployed throughout the city.
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1:40pm
Rawalpindi
Interior Minister Rehman Malik issued orders for suspending cellular services in Rawalpindi in 30 minutes, reports Express News.
Karachi
According to Express News, the main 9th Muharram procession has set off from Nishtar Park.
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1:35pm
DI Khan
President Asif Ali Zardari expresses sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the DI Khan blast and says that such nefarious acts cannot deter the people and the government in their fight against the scourge of militancy, reports APP.
Express News correspondent Zulfiqar Ali reports that cell phones were working at the time of the blast, but were later blocked in DI Khan.
A security officer collects evidence on the roof of a house after a roadside bomb during a Shia procession in Dera Ismail Khan, November 24, 2012. PHOTO: REUTERS
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1:05pm
Islamabad
Muharram procession sets off from G-6 imambargah, reports Express News. The procession route will get aerial surveillance through helicopters.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik is reviewing security in the area from a helicopter.
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12:50pm
Sargodha
In Sargodha, 124 small processions and one main procession will be taken out. The main procession will begin from block 23 at 3pm and will end at an imambargah in block 7 at 8pm.
According to Express News correspondent Nafasat Hussain, more than 35 CCTVs have been installed on the procession routes, while two control rooms have been formed to monitor security. Eight sniffer dog teams and three radio jammer teams are also accompanying the main procession.
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12:39pm
DI Khan
Interior Minister Rehman Malik orders an investigation into the DI Khan blast, reported Express News.
The minister asks the DIG why mobile services were not suspended despite orders.
Peshawar
A suspicious vehicle has been found on the route of the main procession in Peshawar and a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) has been called in, reported Express News.
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12:27pm
Rohri
Express News correspondent Shahbaz Tabani reports that the historic 500-year-old procession in Rohri is about to begin from Karbala ground. The procession, after taking its decided route, will return back to the ground.
Karachi
The majlis in Karachi is taking place in Nishtar Park and the main procession will begin from Numaish Chowrangi and will end at Hussainia Irania Imambargah, reports Express News correspondent Naeem Khanzada.
Peshawar
The main procession in Peshawar will shortly begin from the Hussainia Hall Imambargah, reports Express News correspondent Ehtisham Khan. The Zuhrain prayer will be held at Fawarra Chowk.
Multan
The biggest procession of south Punjab will take place in Multan, starting from Mumtazabad Imambargah. The procession will end at the same imambargah, according to Express News correspondent Shahadat Hussain.
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12:00pm
DI Khan
According to AFP, the death toll from the DI Khan bomb blast has risen to seven, including four children, officials said.
At least 30 people including five children were also wounded, local hospital chief Aziz Baluch told AFP.
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11:46am
Peshawar
Cellular services will not be suspended in Peshawar on Muharram 9 and 10, assured the home department on Saturday, reports Express News.
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11:40am
Peshawar
The main procession on Muharram 9 began at 9am from Hussainia Hall imambargah in Saddar Cantt, will pass through Kala Bari and Fawara Chowk, and culminate at Hussainia Hall at 3am.
Haripur
The District Coordination Officer (DCO) yesterday banned the use of firecrackers, long shawls, coats and vehicles with tinted windows in the jurisdiction of Haripur district, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The ban will continue for a period of 15 days.
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11:30am
DI Khan
According to a report by Reuters, four children were among those killed by a 8-10 kg bomb set off by a television remote control device because cellphones were not operational, police said.
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11:05am
DI Khan
Police officials exchange fire with unidentified gunmen in the Bannu Chungi area after the blast. A suspect has also been reportedly arrested.
The army has also been put on high-alert after the incident.
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10:30am
DI Khan
A blast targeted a Muharram procession in DI Khan killing six people and injuring 14 people, including children and police officials.
According to police, a remote-controlled bomb was planted in the garbage near the Karim Khan mosque and went off when a Muharram procession, consisting of around 15 people, was passing by.
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@ch alla daad while u talk of tolerance but cannot bear the sight of the procession. Please note tht no tax money is used for procession except for the security bit, which is the right of every citizen. If the government is able to control terrorism general, these attacks will reduce and hence the cost. So it's not a Shia specific issue so stop spreading venom in the name of tolerance.
And if mobile service shut down causes losses then pls note the same happened on eid as well, so shall Pakistani Muslims stop celebrating eid as well?
@Clear Black Bag:
Pakistanees will not die if they don't use cel for Two Days...Lives of the innocent People are more important and all types of security measures should be taken by govt. to save the innocent people... It is my opinion that Sims should not be registered below the age of 30.... because that is the time for guys to complete their study and not to play with mobile phone and wast the time.
well wisher
Absolutely pathetic headline. Considering the times that we are living in right now, the security forces have done a commendable job so far in preventing these attacks. Unfortunately, you cannot stop a person who is determined to kill himself and who will blow himself up the moment he feels that he will be caught. Its very easy to make comments and write articles, but it takes guts to stand at the front line and search others, not knowing if the next person is a suicide bomber or not. While, I do understand that this problem needs to be addressed at grass roots level but, as part of a short term solution, the efforts of the security forces needs to be appreciated. I guess its about time the media starts looking at the bigger picture and starts appreciating the efforts of the security forces as well rather than criticizing them at the first onset of trouble.
@kanwal:
what do you mean by [there are other Yazids to fight too.] ? all Yazidans died 13 centuries back ..please move on now, its 21st century.
MUSLIMS KILLING MUSLIMS
Where in the Koran does it say it is permissible to kill innocent Muslims? Did I miss that part in my reading?
And where are the pious zealots who are quick to denounce foreigners killing Paks? By their silence they approve of such actions.
Pak continues to be lawless society.
@ kanwal, the steps taken by government are only a short term solution, for long term solution, we must ban all political, religious and cultural processions on which tax money is spent. Secondly we must educate all sects tolerance and respect for each segments of the society. These processions are very destructive for country's economy, businesses lose billions and poor people lose their wages. Each procession makes us poorer and strgenthens Yazeedi forces. Religion should bring in us strength, purity and peace. These processions bring us destruction, poverty and Yazidiat.
@Syed: You don't owe them anything for doing their job. It's the job they should be doing for everyone every single day of the week.
pakistan is becoming more arabic by the day.
15 people dead or injured do not amount to a "few incidents" which can be dismissed. I am surprised at this headline. Goes to show just how desensitized to violence and death we've become in Pakistan.
One of the best comments @kanwal. May Allah bless you. From a Muslim living outside Pakistan and regretting not being in Pakistan for Ashura.
Unless the government takes charge of foreign funds & the unregulated madressas, the problem of terrorism & intolerance will increase.
I know to some this will sound insensitive, but please understand that I don't mean to offend anyone. I just want to know why these processions can't come to a halt. Considering there are so many threats, children are dying, bombs are still exploding-given the high security, why can't we mourn in our houses or imam bargahs as opposed to walking to them in large crouds? We will at least ensure safety for our loved ones and our country.
@Clear Black Bag: this is the one best way to controll suspiciouc acts in the country...
"The government has claimed that strict security arrangements have been made across the country" But only and only temporary,time passing and for the time being and increased the problems and difficulties for the nation but not on the permanent basis...