Angry mob turn violent after Karachi suicide attack
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Angry mob attacked government buildings, markets, banks and torched vehicles in the south Pakistani city of Karachi after a deadly suicide attack on a religious procession.
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A photo journalist runs from the site of a suicide bomb attack after an angry mob started to burn vehicles and beat journalists in Karachi December 28, 2009. A suicide bomber attacked a Shi'ite Muslim procession in Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi on Monday, killing at least 30 people, police said. [Xinhua] |
At least 20 people were killed and 50 injured in the attack on Shiite Muslims, said Sagheer Ahmed, health minister in Sindh Province.
People angry at the bomb attack burnt a main market, 15 vehicles, police station, two banks and office of local government, police said.
Witnesses said that firing was reported from different areas of Karachi after the attack and the police also used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
Additional paramilitary soldiers were deployed to restore pace and the army was also put on high alert to be called in any emergency situation.
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An angry mob charges towards police after setting ablaze shops and vehicles at the site of a suicide bomb attack on a procession of Shi'ite Muslims commemorating Ashura in Karachi December 28, 2009. A suicide bomber attacked a Shi'ite Muslim procession in Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi on Monday, killing at least 30 people, police said.[Xinhua] |
The angry protesters also beat reporters, TV cameramen and press photographers and broke some cameras, media persons said.
Religious scholars made announcements from mosques asking the people not to indulge in violence.
Officials said that trains could not leave from Karachi to other parts of the country after the passengers could not reach railway station.
Fire fighters could not reach in time to extinguish blaze in shops as roads to several areas were closed and they also feared attacks from the protesters, officials said.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Shiite leaders appealed to the masses to remain peaceful after the bomb blast.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but Altaf Hussain, leader of the main group "Mutahida Qaumi Movement" said that it is handiwork of the Taliban militants.
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