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Timed devices targeted region around Shia mosque and also injured at least 30 people.
At least three people were killed and 30 injured in twin bomb blasts targeting the Shia community in Karachi on Tuesday, officials said.
The blasts occurred as Shias observed the 40th day of mourning of the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of Islam’s Prophet.
The first blast came near the wall of a Shia mosque in Orangi Town, a bustling western suburb, followed by another powerful explosion a short distance away. An official from Abbasi Shaheed Hospital said three bodies were brought to the hospital along with 30 injured. “Both the bombs were detonated with brief intervals, the second was quite fatal,” said Chaudhry Asad, a senior police officer. City police chief Shahid Hayat told reporters that both were timed devices.
A third bomb exploded near Numaish Chowrangi in the eastern district but no casualties were reported. The spot was supposed to be on the route of the Shia procession.
Pakistan has seen a steep rise in sectarian violence after a deadly clash between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Rawalpindi in November that left around a dozen people dead. Authorities switched off cell phone services in dozens of cities across the country on Tuesday as a security measure, while 10,000 soldiers were put on standby.