SEHWAN, Pakistan: More than 80 persons including 20 women and 24 children were killed while over 150 were injured in a suicide blast which ripped through Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan Sharif on Thursday evening.
Police said that the blast took place when devotees were performing a Sufi ritual (Dhamal) in the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine located in Jamshoro District in the Sindh.
The injured were being rushed to the Sehwan Hospital where the Medical Superintendent (MS) Moinuddin Siddiqui told media that many injured were in critical condition.
The terror outfit Islamic State (IS & also known as DAESH) reportedly claimed responsibility for the suicide blast in Sehwan.
#COAS, “Each drop of nation’s blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone.”
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
Recent Ts acts are being exec on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
#COAS directed imed assistance to Sehwan blast victims. Army /Rangers moved incl medical support. Hyderabad CMH ready to receive casualties.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
The Sajjadah Nasheen of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine said that the blast occurred near the dome of the Shrine.
The Spokesman of Sindh Police said that a number of people were inside the Shrine when the suicide bomber blew himself up. He said that the suicide bomber entered the Shrine from the Golden gate.
File pic of dargah shahbaz qalander at sehwan Sindh where a tradgy is emegining after sucide attack dozens killed n injured pic.twitter.com/3uDQjq1rtO
— Nasir Baig Chughtai (@i_m_nbc) February 16, 2017
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared emergency at Sehwan hospital after explosion in the premises of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine.
The Chief Minister phoned the Inspector General of Sindh Police and Commissioner Hyderabad and took details regarding the explosion.
Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the police and the district administration to reach the spot and provide all kind of assistance to the injured.
While condemning the suicide blast, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow and grief over the blast in Sehwan Sharif.
In his statement, the prime minister said that such type of incidents cannot deter the resolve of the nation to defeat common enemies. He said that such type of incidents cannot divide the nation.
The prime minister termed it an attack on Pakistan’s integrity, and vowed to protect the nation at all costs against such menace.
