Dozens of casualties in attack on Pakistan shrine in Balochistan province

Dozens of casualties have been reported in southern Pakistan after a bomb exploded at a busy shrine packed with worshippers.


The attack happened on Saturday in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan. At least 25 people were killed and dozens of others wounded, local officials said.

Hashim Ghalzai, a local district commissioner, told Reuters news agency the toll was based on initial reports and could rise further.

The bombing at the remote Shah Noorani shrine took place while hundreds of people were inside. The Sufi shrine attracts a lot of people at this time of the year from other parts of Pakistan.

"There was a very large crowd at that Sufi shrine when the explosion happened," Hyder reported. "They were commemorating the Sufi saint's 500th birth anniversary. People killed include women and children."

The government dispatched 25 ambulances from Hub to the shrine, said Akbar Harifal, provincial home secretary for Balochistan.

"Every day, around sunset, there is a dhamaal [ritual dance] here, and there are large numbers of people who come for this," said Nawaz Ali, the shrine's custodian.

Emergency services faced difficulties reaching the site because of its remote location.

Dozens of wounded people were moved to the nearby town of Hub and to Karachi, rescue official Hakeem Nasi told Geo TV.
 [aljazeera.com]
12/11/16