Just yesterday I was watching a clip on TV when interior minister Ch. Nisar was speaking in the assembly saying that Pakistan has the 2nd largest number of security agencies after US i.e. 26. And yet we have become a symbol of back 2 back security failures.
When we know that the shia minorities are clearly the target, these attacks and that also right next to the capital should totally be unacceptable.
Two killed in Rawalpindi imambargah blast, Jundullah claims responsibility – The Express Tribune
Two killed in Rawalpindi imambargah blast
By Web Desk / Our Correspondents
Published: February 18, 2015
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/840334-image-1424268764-694-640x480.jpg
Express News screengrab
****ISLAMABAD: Two people were killed and 10 others injured in an imambargah blast in Kuri Road near the highway in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
Several people have been reportedly injured and an emergency has been declared in PIMS, Polyclinic hospital. The injured are said to be in a critical condition.
7:49pm
A search operation has been initiated in surrounding areas, including Shakrial, Sadiqabad and Shahzad Town, our correspondent Rizwan Shehzad reports.
7:48pm
One of the attackers has reportedly been arrested from inside the imambargah, our correspondent Fawad Ali Khan reports.
7:45pm
Ahmed Nisar, an eyewitness who lives close to the imambargah, recounts what he saw during the attack.
“I saw a man throw a grenade, he was rushing inside the premises. As soon as he was inside, we heard an explosion,” he said.
7:42pm
According to an eyewitness, two accomplices of the bomber ran inside the mosque as well but did not blow themselves up.
7:40pm
The attacker fired at the main gate after which two people died on the spot, according to our correspondent Fawad Ali Khan.
The attacker then reportedly threw a grenade and ran into the building but his jacket did not fully detonate.
7:36pm
A search operation has been launched at the site of the blast.
Army personnel, Rangers and police officials are present, our correspondent Fawad Ali reports.
Further, a large number of residents are protesting against the attack near the site of the attack.
7:34pm
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the blast.
Further, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has also condemned the attack.
7:32pm
The critically wounded under treatment at PIMS have been identified as Mohammad Altaf, Syed Shaukat Hussain and Sajjad Hussain.
7:24pm
PML-N MNA Marvi Memon condemned the incident and termed it a reaction to the ongoing military operation launched against militants.
7:15pm
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/229.jpg
Express News screengrab of the site of the blast
7:08pm
Four injured victims, three of whom are in critical condition, shifted to PIMS.
7:05pm
As per initial reports the blast occurred when a suicide bomber blew himself up after security officials stopped him from entering the imambargah.
The guard of the imambargah is said to have sacrificed his life while attempting to stop the bomber from entering the premises.
7:02pm
So far, two bodies and three injured victims have been shifted to PIMS, according to the hospital’s spokesperson Dr Ayesha Ishani.
The deceased have been identified as Ghulam Hussain and Abdul Shakoor.
6:59pm
According to initial reports, the attack was a suicide blast.
6:54pm
The imambargah is located in a high security zone, in the vicinity of expressway, the main highway which links the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The imambragah falls within the jurisdiction of Shehzad Town police station.
Here’s a Google image of the location of the imambargah.
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0-KurriRd-1424267473.jpg
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg
6:53pm
The explosion reportedly took place during Maghreb prayers.
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/326-e1424268881972.jpg
Express News screengrab of the site of the blast
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg
6:52pm
Police have cordoned off the area and rescue efforts are underway.
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg
6:45pm
According to Rescue 1122, the explosion took place in Qasr-e-Sakina imambargah.
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg
6:44pm
The blast preceded heavy aerial firing which continued for 20 minutes, according to an eye witness account.
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Image_0218-1913CH-931-e1424268965805.jpg
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg
6:42pm
Due to the impact of the blast, windows of nearby buildings broke.
Law enforcement agencies and rescue officials have reached the site of the blast.
The nature of the blast is not yet known.
This was the fourth major attack on an imambargah this year; the first being an attack on Rawalpindi’s imambargah Aun Mohammad Rizvi earlier in the year. Imambargah’s were also attacked in Shikarpur and Peshawar.
