Muharram 10: Processions finish, blast leaves 5 dead
Government lifts ban on pillion riding and mobile services.
The religious processions for Muharram 10 (Ashura), which took place all over Pakistan, have ended.
A bomb blast in Dera Ismail Khan killed at least five people and injured over a hundred during a procession on Sunday, reported Express News.
The procession continued on its route even after the blast, passing through Chugalla Gate and reaching Imamai Gate where they were joined by other processions.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast.
Operation in Manghopir
Police seized a car from with 100kg explosives and got into an encounter with the alleged suspects, shooting one of them and arresting another. Two suspects managed to flee and were reported to have snatched two cars from the Sultanabad area, according to Express News.
Firing in Shahadpur
Six people were injured when unidentified armed men attacked a Muharram procession in Shahdadpur, Express News reports. The attackers baton-charged the mourners.
The bans on pillion riding and cellular services, which were imposed for security reasons, were lifted in most cities.
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END OF LIVE UPDATES
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9:00pm
Ashura processions have ended across the country, Express News reported.
Mobile services have been restored in Karachi, Faisalabad, Jafarabad, Gujranwala and Sargodha.
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8:30pm
Mobile services have been restored in Peshawar and Quetta, Express News reported.
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7:40pm
A hand grenade attack on police personnel in Mardan left three injured, Express News reported.
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7:30pm
The blast in Khadda Market, Kharadar was a cracker blast, which went off in a ditch, Express News reported.
The injured person has been moved to Civil Hospital.
The area of Qila Rohtas, Jhelum is the only place in Pakistan where Shia and Sunni Muslims carry out processions together on the day of Ashura.
View a slideshow of today's Muharram processions.
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6:20pm
A bomb blast has occurred in Khadda Market, Kharadar leaving one person injured, Express News reported.
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5:40pm
Most Ashura processions have joined together and are reaching their conclusion at various imambargahs in the major cities and towns.
Doctors at a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan said five people were killed and 90 wounded. "There is a lack of ambulances and not enough hospital beds," said one. "People brought many of the injured to the hospital on rickshaws." [Reuters adds]
"There is fear, but there is also anger and defiance among Shias," said one, who asked not to be named. "Shias never felt like a minority in Pakistan but now they are slowly being turned into a real minority. And Shias will not let this happen." [Reuters adds]
"Our children are being killed but the government is powerless," complained Shia Amina Bokhari. "What is the purpose of this security they claim to give us?" [Reuters adds]
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Pakistani Shia Muslim mourners raise their hands during an Ashura procession in Karachi on November 25, 2012. PHOTO: AFP
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5:15pm
Pakistan's Taliban, who are focused on battling the state but are also allied with Sunni sectarian groups, have claimed responsibility for the two attacks today, reports Reuters.
"For Interior Minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik, who blocked mobile phones across the country and banned motorbikes, you can't stop our activities against the Shia community and security forces," Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"We will keep continuing our activities."
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4:10pm
A picture shared on Instagram by zairabbas shows participants of a Muharram procession in Karachi.
3:29pm
A Reuters image shows security officers standing in front of a shop damaged in the DI Khan blast.
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3:20pm
Bomb Disposal Squad official Anayatullah told The Express Tribune that around 8-10kg explosives were used in the blast on Muharram procession.
The number of injured has gone up to more than a hundred, with 91 being treated at DI Khan District Headquarter Hospital and 14 in Combined Military Hospital. Those in critical condition have been referred to hospitals in Multan and Bakkar, sources at the district hospital told The Express Tribune.
The procession continued on its route even after the blast, passing through Chugalla Gate and reaching Imamai Gate where they were joined by other processions. The procession then proceeded toward its final destination of Kotlee Imam through Saddar Bazaar.
IG Punjab Haji Habibur Rehman, speaking to the media, expressed his confidence in the security measures taken across the province for Muharram 10 processions. “Every procession is being monitored and all entry and exit points have been sealed,” he said.
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03:12pm
The main Muharram procession has reached the Empress Market, Express News reports.
The entire city has been monitored through numerous close circuit cameras.
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1:33pm
The suspects who fled Manghopir after an encounter with police have snatched two cars from Sultanabad area, reports Express News.
According to police, the snatched cars have the number plates AEP-135 and AFZ-8191. Areas around Manghopir have been sealed as the police try to locate the suspects.
The police had earlier killed one of the suspects and arrested another during an encounter after foiling a terrorist attempt in Manghopir. The police had seized a car with 100kg explosives which were hidden in water coolers.
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01:15pm
A picture shared on Instagram by dowctor shows police force deployed on MA Jinnah Road, Karachi for Ashura security.
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12:50pm
The main Muharram procession in the city has begun under tight security.
The BDS had swept the entire procession route before allowing the participants to go ahead.
The procession has also been monitored from helicopters.
A Muharram procession reaches city’s Ghanta Ghar, where mourners perform religious rituals.
Rangers and Army units are deployed in the city to maintain law and order.
BDS official declared that bomb rumour in an imambargah was a hoax.
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12:40pm
Bomb Disposal Squad has been called in after rumours emerged of a bomb in an imambargah in Nowshera Feroz.
Express News reports that at least 80 people have sustained injuries in the DI Khan blast.
Police claim to have foiled a terror attack in the city after recovering explosives from the Manghopir area. However, no suspect has been arrested.
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12:25pm
Six people were injured when unidentified armed men attacked a Muharram procession in Shahdadpur, Express News reports.
The attackers reportedly baton-charged the mourners.
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11:55am
A suspected terrorist was arrested near a Muharram procession in Layyah, Express News reports.
Police said the arrested suspect was a resident of DI Khan.
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11:42am
The death toll in the DI Khan blast has gone up to five, reports Express News.
The blast has damaged around 12 nearby shops of the bazaar.
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11:32am
Express News reports that the number of injured people has gone up to 70.
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11:20am
Correspondent Seemab reports that the Commissioner Bazaar, where the blast took place, had been sealed since Muharram 8, and was being monitored for 48 hours.
The bazaar was also being monitored from rooftops when the procession was passing by.
Media and unauthorised personnel are not being allowed to enter the area after the blast.
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11:10am
According to rescue sources, a 9-year-old boy, an elderly man and a young man were among the dead, while around 35-40 injured have been brought to the hospital.
Correspondent Seemab reports that doctors are not present at the hospital, and authorities are trying to bring doctors from Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for assistance.
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An Express News screenshot shows an ambulance on its way to the blast site in DI Khan
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11:00am
Express News correspondent Seemab reports that according to the Bomb Disposal Squad, a remote-controlled bomb was placed inside a closed shop in Commissionary Bazaar of Chugalla. The bomb went off when the Muharram procession was passing by.
At least 12 people have been reportedly injured.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:50am
The only blast that took place on Muharram 9, Saturday, was also in DI Khan near a Muharram procession. The blast killed at least 10 people, including children and police officials.
The bomb was placed in garbage and was detonated using a remote control. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack.
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10:48am
All injured are being shifted to the District Headquarter hospital, and emergency has been imposed in the hospital.
Express News correspondent Ramzan Seemab reports that the mobile services have been blocked in the city since 5am and even wireless services are not working.
Seemab added that the city had also been swept at least four times for planted bombs.
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10:43am
Hospital sources say three people have been killed in the blast. Police say it could be a suicide blast.
According to sources, cellular services were not blocked in the area despite government orders and despite DI Khan being declared a “sensitive area”.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:39am
At least three people were injured when a blast took place near a Muharram 10 procession in the Chugalla area of Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, reports Express News.
Rescue services and police officials have left for the site.
A bomb blast in Dera Ismail Khan killed at least five people and injured over a hundred during a procession on Sunday, reported Express News.
The procession continued on its route even after the blast, passing through Chugalla Gate and reaching Imamai Gate where they were joined by other processions.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast.
Operation in Manghopir
Police seized a car from with 100kg explosives and got into an encounter with the alleged suspects, shooting one of them and arresting another. Two suspects managed to flee and were reported to have snatched two cars from the Sultanabad area, according to Express News.
Firing in Shahadpur
Six people were injured when unidentified armed men attacked a Muharram procession in Shahdadpur, Express News reports. The attackers baton-charged the mourners.
The bans on pillion riding and cellular services, which were imposed for security reasons, were lifted in most cities.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
END OF LIVE UPDATES
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9:00pm
Ashura processions have ended across the country, Express News reported.
Mobile services have been restored in Karachi, Faisalabad, Jafarabad, Gujranwala and Sargodha.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:30pm
Mobile services have been restored in Peshawar and Quetta, Express News reported.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7:40pm
A hand grenade attack on police personnel in Mardan left three injured, Express News reported.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7:30pm
The blast in Khadda Market, Kharadar was a cracker blast, which went off in a ditch, Express News reported.
The injured person has been moved to Civil Hospital.
The area of Qila Rohtas, Jhelum is the only place in Pakistan where Shia and Sunni Muslims carry out processions together on the day of Ashura.
View a slideshow of today's Muharram processions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6:20pm
A bomb blast has occurred in Khadda Market, Kharadar leaving one person injured, Express News reported.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:40pm
Most Ashura processions have joined together and are reaching their conclusion at various imambargahs in the major cities and towns.
Doctors at a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan said five people were killed and 90 wounded. "There is a lack of ambulances and not enough hospital beds," said one. "People brought many of the injured to the hospital on rickshaws." [Reuters adds]
"There is fear, but there is also anger and defiance among Shias," said one, who asked not to be named. "Shias never felt like a minority in Pakistan but now they are slowly being turned into a real minority. And Shias will not let this happen." [Reuters adds]
"Our children are being killed but the government is powerless," complained Shia Amina Bokhari. "What is the purpose of this security they claim to give us?" [Reuters adds]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Pakistani Shia Muslim mourners raise their hands during an Ashura procession in Karachi on November 25, 2012. PHOTO: AFP
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:15pm
Pakistan's Taliban, who are focused on battling the state but are also allied with Sunni sectarian groups, have claimed responsibility for the two attacks today, reports Reuters.
"For Interior Minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik, who blocked mobile phones across the country and banned motorbikes, you can't stop our activities against the Shia community and security forces," Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"We will keep continuing our activities."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:10pm
A picture shared on Instagram by zairabbas shows participants of a Muharram procession in Karachi.
3:29pm
A Reuters image shows security officers standing in front of a shop damaged in the DI Khan blast.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3:20pm
DI Khan
Bomb Disposal Squad official Anayatullah told The Express Tribune that around 8-10kg explosives were used in the blast on Muharram procession.
The number of injured has gone up to more than a hundred, with 91 being treated at DI Khan District Headquarter Hospital and 14 in Combined Military Hospital. Those in critical condition have been referred to hospitals in Multan and Bakkar, sources at the district hospital told The Express Tribune.
The procession continued on its route even after the blast, passing through Chugalla Gate and reaching Imamai Gate where they were joined by other processions. The procession then proceeded toward its final destination of Kotlee Imam through Saddar Bazaar.
Lahore
IG Punjab Haji Habibur Rehman, speaking to the media, expressed his confidence in the security measures taken across the province for Muharram 10 processions. “Every procession is being monitored and all entry and exit points have been sealed,” he said.
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03:12pm
Karachi
The main Muharram procession has reached the Empress Market, Express News reports.
The entire city has been monitored through numerous close circuit cameras.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1:33pm
Karachi
The suspects who fled Manghopir after an encounter with police have snatched two cars from Sultanabad area, reports Express News.
According to police, the snatched cars have the number plates AEP-135 and AFZ-8191. Areas around Manghopir have been sealed as the police try to locate the suspects.
The police had earlier killed one of the suspects and arrested another during an encounter after foiling a terrorist attempt in Manghopir. The police had seized a car with 100kg explosives which were hidden in water coolers.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
01:15pm
A picture shared on Instagram by dowctor shows police force deployed on MA Jinnah Road, Karachi for Ashura security.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12:50pm
Hyderabad
The main Muharram procession in the city has begun under tight security.
The BDS had swept the entire procession route before allowing the participants to go ahead.
The procession has also been monitored from helicopters.
Multan
A Muharram procession reaches city’s Ghanta Ghar, where mourners perform religious rituals.
Rangers and Army units are deployed in the city to maintain law and order.
Nowshera Feroz
BDS official declared that bomb rumour in an imambargah was a hoax.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12:40pm
Nowshera Feroz
Bomb Disposal Squad has been called in after rumours emerged of a bomb in an imambargah in Nowshera Feroz.
DI Khan
Express News reports that at least 80 people have sustained injuries in the DI Khan blast.
Karachi
Police claim to have foiled a terror attack in the city after recovering explosives from the Manghopir area. However, no suspect has been arrested.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12:25pm
Shahdadpur
Six people were injured when unidentified armed men attacked a Muharram procession in Shahdadpur, Express News reports.
The attackers reportedly baton-charged the mourners.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:55am
Layyah
A suspected terrorist was arrested near a Muharram procession in Layyah, Express News reports.
Police said the arrested suspect was a resident of DI Khan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:42am
DI Khan
The death toll in the DI Khan blast has gone up to five, reports Express News.
The blast has damaged around 12 nearby shops of the bazaar.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:32am
DI Khan
Express News reports that the number of injured people has gone up to 70.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:20am
DI Khan
Correspondent Seemab reports that the Commissioner Bazaar, where the blast took place, had been sealed since Muharram 8, and was being monitored for 48 hours.
The bazaar was also being monitored from rooftops when the procession was passing by.
Media and unauthorised personnel are not being allowed to enter the area after the blast.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:10am
DI Khan
According to rescue sources, a 9-year-old boy, an elderly man and a young man were among the dead, while around 35-40 injured have been brought to the hospital.
Correspondent Seemab reports that doctors are not present at the hospital, and authorities are trying to bring doctors from Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for assistance.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
An Express News screenshot shows an ambulance on its way to the blast site in DI Khan
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:00am
DI Khan
Express News correspondent Seemab reports that according to the Bomb Disposal Squad, a remote-controlled bomb was placed inside a closed shop in Commissionary Bazaar of Chugalla. The bomb went off when the Muharram procession was passing by.
At least 12 people have been reportedly injured.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:50am
DI Khan
The only blast that took place on Muharram 9, Saturday, was also in DI Khan near a Muharram procession. The blast killed at least 10 people, including children and police officials.
The bomb was placed in garbage and was detonated using a remote control. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:48am
DI Khan
All injured are being shifted to the District Headquarter hospital, and emergency has been imposed in the hospital.
Express News correspondent Ramzan Seemab reports that the mobile services have been blocked in the city since 5am and even wireless services are not working.
Seemab added that the city had also been swept at least four times for planted bombs.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:43am
DI Khan
Hospital sources say three people have been killed in the blast. Police say it could be a suicide blast.
According to sources, cellular services were not blocked in the area despite government orders and despite DI Khan being declared a “sensitive area”.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:39am
DI Khan
At least three people were injured when a blast took place near a Muharram 10 procession in the Chugalla area of Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, reports Express News.
Rescue services and police officials have left for the site.