A suicide bomber detonated himself outside a Shiite mosque in Pakistan during prayers for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Tuesday, injuring as many as 13 people.
The attack occurred in the Shikarpur district, about 470 kilometers (292 miles) north of Karachi, according to The Times of India.
“Police also foiled a separate suicide blast at another Shia mosque in the Shikarpur district where last year at least 61 people were killed in a suicide attack on a mosque,” The Times of India adds.
In that incident, two suspicious individuals were challenged by police at the entrance to the mosque, and when they attempted to flee, one of them was gunned down, while the other blew himself up.
Four police officers were among the injured in the first attack, according to AFP. A senior police officer said one of the injuries was critical. A second bomber was also present at that attack, but fled the scene.
“Worshipers overpowered the second would-be suicide bomber as the police were reeling from their injuries,” according to the local police chief.
The Associated Press cites a spokesman for the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan group claiming responsibility for the attack.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.