PAKISTAN: PROTESTORS MARCH CHANTING ANTI-TERRORIST SLOGANS AND VISIT THE GRAVES OF VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN QUETTA

Record ID: 352134

  • Title: PAKISTAN: PROTESTORS MARCH CHANTING ANTI-TERRORIST SLOGANS AND VISIT THE GRAVES OF VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN QUETTA
  • Date: 8th July 2003
  • Summary: (EU) QUETTA, PAKISTAN (JULY 8, 2OO3) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV OF PEOPLE HOLDING BANNERS AND PLACARDS, MARCHING (2 SHOTS) 0.17 2. SLV PLACARD READING "TERRORISTS ANSWER, GIVE ANSWERS ABOUT THE BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN SHED" 0.22 3. SV OF PLACARD READING "TERRORISM NOT ALLOWED" (2 SHOTS) 0.31 4. LV/SLV PEOPLE WALKING TOWARDS GRAVEYARD
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: QUETTA, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Reuters ID: LVA8NZDFMI117ZSNQVUQSUPYQO9O
  • Story Text: In Pakistan, angry protestors and bereaved families
    have marched, chanting anti-terrorist slogans and visited the
    graves of victims of Friday's terrorist attack on a mosque in
    Quetta.



    Outraged citizens of Quetta held a protest walk on
    Tuesday (July 8) to bring attention to Friday's (July 4)
    attack that left many people dead or injured.

    The final death toll was put at 53 by Edhi foundation, a
    non profit welfare
    organization and 44 by the Pakistan home department. The blast
    also injured more than 60 people. The police have detained 22
    suspects during search operations in different parts of Quetta
    city, but no one has yet been charged. No group has claimed
    responsibility.

    Protestors held various placards and posters emblazened
    with anti-terrorist slogans, one reading "TERRORISTS ANSWER,
    GIVE ANSWERS ABOUT THE BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN SHED" and another
    reading "TERRORISM NOT ALLOWED". Flags waved had "O' PROPHET
    ALI HELP" written on them.

    People visited the graves of the victims and speeches were
    made which highlighted sectarian issues and demanded the
    arrest of those behind the attack.

    Earlier on Friday, Shi'ites, mostly from the Hazara tribe,
    rampaged through
    Quetta, shooting into the air and torching property, vehicles
    and part of a hospital.

    Extremists from the Shi'ite and Sunni sects of Islam have
    a long history of
    violence in Pakistan, and there have been at least three major
    sectarian killings so far this year claiming 67 lives. Two
    were in Quetta and the third in Karachi.

    Police in Quetta said three men wheeled a trolley up to
    the gate of the mosque during Friday prayers before pulling
    guns from under a cover and opening fire on worshippers. All
    three had grenades strapped to their waists, and two blew
    themselves up. The third died of wounds sustained when guards
    opened fire.

    Police found about 5 kg (11 lb) of explosives on the
    trolley. Some commentators have suggested that the mosque
    bombing may be linked to neighbouring Afghanistan, because
    Quetta is close to the border.

    The explosion took place between 1.30 and 1.45 p.m. local
    time, coinciding
    with the main Friday midday prayers. Police described it as a
    sectarian attack, because the men were all from the Shi'ite
    Hazara tribe.
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