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Bomb Blast in Karbala Kills 20 |
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Written by Press TV
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 23:44 |
 A bomb blast has left at least 20 people killed and about 120 others wounded
in Karbala as violence builds against Shia pilgrims en route to the holy city
for a major religious rite.
The deadly attack took place on Wednesday when an explosive-laden cart pulled by
a motorcycle went off, Reuters reported quoting Iraqi police officials, who
noted that the death toll could rise.
The blast in Karbala came despite tightened security and large deployments of
troops and security forces in and around the holy city, Press TV corresponded in
Iraq Wisam al-Bayati said.
Strong security measures have also been introduced on the routes leading to
Karbala, banning the movement of vehicles on the roads and allowing pilgrims to
travel only on foot, he added.
The blast hit Shia pilgrims, including women and children, as they were
traveling on foot from Hillah in Babil province to Karbala to take part in
mourning ceremonies marking the 40th day after the Ashura anniversary of the
martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).
The Iraqi government has strongly condemned the Wednesday bombing and promised
to track down those behind the grizzly attack and bring them to justice.
Elsewhere, two separate roadside bombs targeted Shia pilgrims in the south and
southwest of Baghdad, killing at least one person and wounding some four
pilgrims.
The bombings are the latest in a string of attacks this week against the Shia
Muslim pilgrims who are walking to Karbala, which hosts Imam Hussein's holy
shrine.
On Monday, a female bomber blew herself up near a convoy of pilgrims in Baghdad,
killing at least 54 people.
Source: Press TV
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 23:49 |
