Pakistani Shiites mourn as bomb death toll hits 45
By The Associated Press
This article was published March 4, 2013 at 8:28 a.m.
KARACHI, Pakistan — Shiite Muslims in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi demanded government protection Monday from a wave of violence that has targeted the minority sect, a day after a bombing in the city killed 45 people.
The bomb exploded Sunday evening as people were leaving a mosque in this port city, and underlined the increasing threat Shiites face as Sunni militant groups target them in ever-bolder attacks.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Sunni militant groups who do not consider Shiites to be true Muslims have carried out such attacks in the past.
At least 146 people were also wounded in the explosion and 32 of them remain in serious condition, said Dr. Jalil Qadir, a Pakistani surgeon.
Thousands of people thronged a main road in Karachi on Monday for a funeral service for 15 Shiite Muslims killed in the attack. Many beat their chests and heads and chanted “Stop the brutal attacks!” They called on the government to take action against militant groups responsible for the attacks.
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