Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 21, 2009
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shia-clerics-funeral-march-attacked-32-killed/426279/
Introduction: Suicide attack creates mayhem,
violent protests in Dera Ismail Khan; authorities impose curfew
At least 32 people were killed and nearly 160 injured on Friday when a suicide
bomber blew himself up in the funeral procession of a Shia cleric in the Pakistani
city of Dera Ismail Khan, sparking angry protests which prompted authorities
to impose curfew.
The suicide bomber struck the 1,500-strong
funeral procession of cleric Sher Zaman, who was killed by unidentified gunmen
on Thursday.
Though the procession had security cover,
the bomber emerged from a crowded bus terminal on the route of the procession
and blew himself up, he said. No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Officials said the attack could be linked to sectarian rivalries.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and NWFP Chief Minister
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti condemned the attack. The bombing sparked angry protests
by people who were in the procession. They went on the rampage, firing in
the air and burning a bus and several other vehicles, forcing the authorities
to clamp curfew on the town and call military forces for assistance.
Witnesses said the suicide bomber was aged
between 15 and 17 years and his body was later found torn apart.
The protesters, who claimed authorities had
not made adequate security arrangements, stoned Government offices and security
forces, torched and ransacked shops, burnt buses and set up road blocks in
the city. They also snatched cameras from television crews covering the incident.
There were also reports that staff at a hospital,
where the injured were taken, fled on seeing a group of angry protesters.
Some of the seriously injured persons were taken to hospitals in Punjab province
and Islamabad.
Four days after a peace pact was inked between
religious hardliners and the NWFP Government, leading cleric Maulana Sufi
Mohammad is yet to make Taliban leaders accept the deal to enforce Islamic
laws in Swat valley.
Mohammad, who has been holding talks with
Taliban leaders, on Friday met its commander Maulana Fazlullah, who is his
son-in-law, for direct talks as reports said Taliban was demanding pulling
out security forces from Swat, release of all prisoners and a general amnesty
for its men.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan told reporters
that Fazlullah and Mohammad discussed the deal on enforcing Shariah and efforts
to restore peace in Swat. Fazlullah agreed with Mohammad's efforts to enforce
Islamic laws, he said.