KARACHI: A nine-month-old girl lost her life while eight others, including six women, were injured when a hand grenade was lobbed at the Islamic Research Centre (IRC) at Ayesha Manzil, Karachi on Tuesday evening.
Initial reports suggested that that unknown assailants riding on a motorcycle lobbed a grenade from the Ayesha Manzil flyover which overlooks the IRC and the adjoining Imambargah, before fleeing.
The grenade exploded near the gate of the Imambargah as a congregation ended, injuring nine people including women and a child. Witnesses said that a flock of women were gathered near the gate of the Imambargah when incident occurred.
The victims were shifted to different hospitals including Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital for treatment.
Though the police and doctors did not confirm any casualty till the filing of this report, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s spokesperson Ali Ahmar claimed that a nine-month-old girl – who had arrived with her parents to attend the Majlis - had succumbed to her injuries during treatment at AKUH.
Experts from the bomb disposal squad along with a heavy contingent of police and Rangers reached the site soon after the incident. Officials said that the explosion was caused by a Russian-made hand grenade.
Gulberg DSP Ahmed Nawaz said that the attackers wanted to target participants of the Muharram congregation and they had hurled bomb from the adjoining flyover. He added that a long steel sheet had been placed on the side of the bridge as a safety mechanism and a permanent police mobile has also been deployed on the bridge for security.
Following the blast, charged mob gathered on the Shahrah-e-Pakistan burnt tyers and blocked the road for traffic.
Protesters chanted slogans against the militant groups and also shouted against the law enforcement agencies.
Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen condemned the incident and demanded proper security during Muharram.
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'Inna Lillahe WA Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon,' beautiful child. Ameen. When will the governments take action against the culprits by catching and punishing the killers publicly? Or is it that our governments are WEAK and INDECISIVE? Salams
There is only one sect in the world that preaches, and justifies the killings of infants. And this 200 year old sect, with the blood of hundreds of thousands on its hands, is bringing a bad name to Islam throughout the world.
It's really a depressive situation in Pakistan, as we are acceptable to each other in terms of our faith be it any sect we are humans and children of Adam. How can we bleed poison for each other like this...
Those who don't care will do soon as soon as the fire reaches their doorstep.