Suicide bombings in Pakistan kill 16 people, injure 50

Suicide bombings in Pakistan kill 16 people, injure 50

2011-01-26 13:41:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Two suicide bombers struck within two hours in Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 50, ARY News Television reported on Wednesday.

In the eastern city of Lahore, a teenager blew himself up near a Shiite procession, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 50. Thousands of Shiite worshippers were marking the 40th day of Ashura when the blast hit their procession.

The suspected bomber was around 14 years old and was carrying a bag as he tried to reach the marchers, but police would not let him in without a body search, city police chief Aslam Tareen said.

A doctor at Lahore's main hospital, however, said they had received ten bodies, including that of the suicide bomber, and 70 wounded, while another four injured people were at a hospital nearby.

A group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

About 90 minutes later, a motorcycle bomber detonated in the southern city of Karachi, killing three people, including two policemen, and injuring four others.

"It was a suicide bombing. The bomber was riding a motorbike and carrying a bag in his hand, which had explosives in it. He struck one of our police mobile vans. The police were the target," said senior police official Shaukat Shah, as cited by Ary News.

The 40th day of Ashura, a festival commemorating the seventh-century death of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, was being observed across the country on Tuesday with mourning processions being carried out in different cities and towns of Pakistan.

The United States Embassy in Pakistan condemned both suicide bombings and reiterated its fight against terrorism. "No cause can justify this sort of indiscriminate violence and murder. The United States stands with the people and government of Pakistan against terrorism and for peace, democracy and tolerance," a statement said.

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