As Pakistan observed the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on Tuesday, at least seven people were killed and over two dozen injured in multiple bomb explosions and clashes in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Mansehra. Though strict security measures were taken yet security forces failed to prevent the incidents.
At least four people were killed and 28 injured were injured in four blasts which occurred in two different locations in Karachi on Tuesday. The blasts took place within a span of one hour.
The first blast occurred near Numaish Chowrangi at MA Jinnah Road which injured a few men. Initial reports suggested explosives were planted in a roadside pole, apparently detonated using a remote controlled device.
In the second incident, twin blasts rocked Orangi Town No 10. The blasts occurred near Imam bargah Kausar killing three people and injuring at least 20 people including rescue workers. The injured included Omer (20), Khalid (40), Kamran (20), Mubarik (20), Babar (35), Faiz Muhammad, Farhat (22), Ijaz (35), Noor Muhammad (26), Saifur-Rehman (30), Aziz Khan (24) and Zafar Ali (28) and were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
The law enforcers rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area for collecting evidences and also launched a search operation. As per initial reports, the explosives were concealed in a billboard.
“Both the bombs were detonated with after a gap of 15 minutes, the second was quite fatal,” Chaudhry Asad, a senior police officer said.
Karachi Additional Inspector General Shahid Hayat told journalist that both were timer devices.
The third incident occurred at a park in Kasbah Colony where a cracker blast injured three people including two children after which the police and Rangers further beefed up the security of Chehlum processions.
Speaking to journalists, Hayat said that the explosions were aimed to harass and discourage Shias.
Around 10,000 police and Rangers personnel were deployed for security of the main mourning procession in Karachi. The procession route was monitored through aerial surveillance and through a network of 150 closed-circuit television cameras.
FIVE INJURED IN PINDI FIRING INCIDENT: Five people were injured in a firing incident in Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi on Tuesday when a clash broke out between a group of protesters and security personnel near Pirwadhai.
The injured were shifted to the hospital and the law enforcement agencies immediately took the situation under control.
According to reports, a few protestors wanted to enter capital but were stopped by the law enforcing agencies. The protesters clashed with police and pelted stones at them. The police had to charge baton and fire tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Police also stopped media from covering of the procession and demonstrators due to law and order problems.
LANDMINE BLASTS AT MANSEHRA: A man was injured and three vehicles including two police mobile vans were damaged in a landmine blast in Mansehra, while in a separate blast on Chakrali Road near a school, three people were killed.
Police said the blast took place at Chakriali Road Mansehra as a police mobile struck the landmine planted by the roadside. Heavy contingent of police reached the scene of blast, collected the evidences and kicked off investigation.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS: The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions was observed on Tuesday amid tight security as pillion riding was banned and mobile services were shut down in various cities and towns of the country to ensure fool proof security.
Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies, including police and rangers, were deployed to counter possible terrorist attack while helicopters also kept flying over the routes of the mourning procession for aerial surveillance.
Top police officers remained with the procession to observe security measures taken for the protection of participants of the procession.
Mobile networks remained blocked from 8 am to midnight in 56 cities throughout the country, while pillion riding was banned in all major cities except for women and children.
TERRORISM BID FOILED IN QUETTA: Thwarting the bid to attack Chehlum processions, security forces on Tuesday arrested an alleged terrorist and recovered huge cache of arms from his possession, official sources said.
Chaman Qila Deputy Commissioner Abdullah, Alam Faraz said Levis men stopped a vehicle heading towards Quetta from Afghanistan in Hameed Cross area on Quetta-Chaman National Highway.
During search, they recover huge cache of arms from the hidden cavity of the vehicle and arrested alleged terrorist who allegedly taking arms for carrying out subversive act in provincial capital during Chehlum of Hazar Imam Hussain (AS).
Arms recovered included 35 pistols, 8 Kalashnikovs and 40 magazines. The detainee is being interrogated to get clue to his accomplices, DC said.
COMPENSATION FOR ASHURA VICTIMS: Multan DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal Tuesday distributed Rs 2.3 million among the 22 injured and legal heirs of two martyrs who had lost their lives in the firing incidents on 10the and 11th of Moharram Ul Haram in Multan. The cheques were distributed by DCO on behalf of Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, says an official release.