At least 72 people have been killed and over 200 injured in a suicide bombing at the shrine of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh’s Sehwan town on Thursday, officials confirmed.
Police confirmed it was a suicide attack. IG AD Khawaja revised an earlier death toll, saying that at least 72 people have been killed and many more injured.
The bomber struck inside the compound, where a large number of devotees were performing dhamal, devotional dance, sources said.
According to a police source, the bomber entered the shrine and blew himself up amid a large assembly of devotees, many of whom were there because Thursday is considered a sacred day to pray at the shrine.“The incident took place outside the mazar (shrine) where Golden Gate is located,” Hyderabad Commissioner Kazi Shahid Parvez told.The bombing is reminiscent of a near-identical attack at Dargah Shah Noorani, in Khuzdar district of Balochistan, late last year. At least 45 people, including women and children, were killed in that attack.
An emergency has been declared in hospitals across Dadu, Sehwan and Hyderabad.
“Ambulances from Hyderabad and Jamshoro have been sent to Sehwan. The town has a taluka hospital but it is not equipped with a trauma centre to deal with emergency cases,” in-charge Edhi Foundation Mairaj Ahmed told The Express Tribune.
Navy helicopters, PAF aircraft are being dispatched for rescue operations, according to the ISPR.
“Many of the wounded are in critical condition and they will be shifted to Karachi as soon as navy helicopters and C-130 plane reach the nearest airport."
Deputy Commissioner Munawar Maheesar confirmed the dead included at least four children and 12 women.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he added.Eyewitnesses described gory scenes in the shrine’s compound where human body parts were seen scattered. Some bodies were also seen lying on the floor.
CM Sindh orders rescue, relief operation
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called IG Police AD Khawaja and Hyderabad commissioner, and ordered rescue and relief operation in wake of the blast.
Army chief General Qamar Bajwa also directed the medical teams to assist in relief and rescue operation.
The explosion took place in the area where the dhamaal (a Sufi ritual) was being performed after evening prayers.A large number of devotees, from different faiths and from across the country, frequent the shrine on Thursdays — a day of spiritual significance in Pakistan's shrine culture.
Security for shrines was tightened across the province following the attack.
Armed forces aid in rescue efforts
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, following the attack, directed that immediate assistance be provided to civil authorities. Army contingents were dispatched along with medical personnel. Combined Military Hospital Hyderabad was also alerted to receive casualties.
