Sectarian violence reached already troubled coastal city Karachi where two bomb blasts in a Shiite populace claimed 45 lives in Abbas Town area. Death toll may rise as scores of people are critically injured. According to available details a car bomb went off outside a Shiite mosque (Imam Bargah) just after evening prayers. Explosion was so powerful that it was heard up to 10 km in surroundings. It is estimated that nearly 150 kg of explosives were laden in the vehicle.
Terrorists used all their modern learning to maximize the destruction. It is believed that like Quetta blasts, some inflammable chemicals were also used to ignite fire. Thick smoke billowed out of blast site and many apartment complexes in the neighborhood caught fire. As the local residents rushed towards blast site another bomb went off at a nearby place. Follow up blast is another technique used by traders of death to maximize killings and destruction. Moving scenes were witnessed at blast site as victims included men, women and children as well.
Karachi blasts has once again raised serious questions over the performance of security agencies as they have miserably failed to protect the lives and property of its citizens especially minorities. Shiites are the main target in 2013 as three tragedies has martyred nearly 200 Shiites in 1st three months of the year. On January 10 2013, at least people lost their lives as a result of two suicide blasts in Hazara town area of Quetta. This resulted in sacking of Baluchistan Government and governor rule was imposed in the province.
Sacking of provincial government and imposition of Governor’s rule did mean nothing for Shiite Muslims as a bigger attack was launched against them in the Month of February 2013. This time approximately 90 innocent people were martyred as a result of “Tanker Blast” laden with 1500 Kg of explosives. Banned militant outfit Lashkar-i-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the Tanker blast.
Even loss of so many precious lives could not move Government and state miserably failed to check ongoing wave of terrorism in the country as Shiite Muslims were once again targeted at a different place.
Condemnations poured in from Government officials and Opposition Politicians after the blast. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah announced a compensation of Rs. 1.5 million for the families of martyred and Rs. One million for injured.
