Pakistan shrine custodians, worshippers in shock after attack kills more than 50

Record ID: 79052

  • Title: Pakistan shrine custodians, worshippers in shock after attack kills more than 50
  • Date: 13th November 2016
  • Summary: SANDALS MORE OF BELONGINGS GRAVES DAMAGED BY BLAST CO-CUSTODIAN OF SHRINE, DOST MOHAMMAD, SHOWING DAMAGED DRUMS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CO-CUSTODIAN OF SHRINE, DOST MOHAMMAD, SAYING: "The ritual dance had already started. It was just five minutes before the call for prayers for Maghrib (sunset prayers) and the dance was about to end, then suddenly this blast took place in the women's section." PARAMILITARY SOLDIER STANDING ON GUARD OUTSIDE SHRINE WORSHIPERS SITTING TWO WOMEN RECITING KORAN LOCAL WORSHIPER, MOHAMMAD ZAMAN, SITTING WITH OTHER WORSHIPERS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) LOCAL WORSHIPER, MOHAMMAD ZAMAN, SAYING: "Unaware of all worldly things, we and the other worshipers were busy carrying out rituals as per routine. Suddenly we heard an explosion. We rushed to the place where this had happened. As we reached there we saw dead bodies lying all over and the injured screaming." CLOSED SHOPS OUTSIDE SHRINE FAMILY HAVING BREAKFAST OUTSIDE SHRINE SURVIVORS WAITING FOR TRANSPORT
  • Embargoed: 28th November 2016 09:01
  • Keywords: shrine attack Islamic State hospital family
  • Location: LASBELA, BALUCHISTAN PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
  • City: LASBELA, BALUCHISTAN PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA00358A0FGN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The custodians and worshipers at Pakistan's Shah Noorani shrine were in a state of shock on Sunday (November 13), a day after an explosion killed at least 52 people.
    The attack claimed by militant group Islamic State ripped through the Muslim shrine in southwestern Pakistan with hundreds of people inside the compound.
    "The ritual dance had already started. It was just five minutes before the call for prayers for Maghrib (sunset prayers) and the dance was about to end, then suddenly this blast took place in the women's section," said co-custodian, Dost Mohammad.
    On Sunday, pools of blood were still visible on the shrine floor and belongings of worshippers were scattered everywhere. Nearby shops were closed and people were waiting for transport to leave the scene of the attack.
    The shrine is located about 100 km. (60 miles) north of Karachi.
    It was not clear whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber or a planted device, according to authorities.
    Islamic State said in a statement via its Amaq news agency that its fighters had carried out Saturday's (November 12) bombing.
    The jihadist group also claimed responsibility for the last major attack in the province, at a police academy last month that killed around 60 people.
    Muslim shrines have often been targeted by militant groups, many of whom adhere to a strict interpretation of Islam that regards veneration of saints at shrines such as Shah Noorani as heresy.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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