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Mourners clash with police as toll in Karachi mosque bombing rises
Police exchanged fire with rioting mourners Tuesday as thousands gathered for the funerals of 20 killed in an apparent suicide bombing at a crowded Shiite Muslim mosque, the latest terrorist attack in Pakistanâs largest city. About 200 angry Shiites set fire to three buses, a bank, bus company offices and shops housed in one building a few doors down from the mosque hit in Mondayâs bombing. Hundreds of police fired tear gas at the crowd along a major highway in the southern city. Police and rioters exchanged gunfire in several locations, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on injuries. The unrest began after the mob started stoning police. The bombing ripped through the mosque during evening prayers on Monday, and the death toll rose to 20 Tuesday when four of the injured died of their wounds. At least 75 were injured. The attack sparked nighttime rioting by hundreds of enraged Shiite youths who burned shops, cars, a bank and a government building and blocked highways and the main rail line. A shootout between rioters and police left three people dead. On Tuesday, Shiite Muslim clerics urged mourners to show restraint during funerals for the bombing victims. "Everybody who is a Muslim should understand that some elements want (to) create unrest," said Yousaf Hussain, a Shiite leader. "They are the enemy of Pakistan and Islam, and I ask you to understand this conspiracy and show patience."Posted by: TS(vice girl) 2004-06-01 |
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