Shutdown in Karachi, shrine blasts toll reaches nine

KARACHI - Roads in most parts of this Pakistani city wore a deserted look Friday as residents preferred to stay at home amid calls for protests by various groups a day after twin suicide blasts at a Sufi shrine that left nine people dead.

According to Geo TV, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance of the mausoleum of the 8th century Sufi saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Clifton Thursday evening, killing nine worshippers, including two children, and injuring over 60.

The bombs exploded in quick succession at the entrance of the shrine which was packed with devotees gathered for a weekly prayer.

On Friday shopping centres, gas stations and schools were closed, and the usually jam-packed roads were deserted after religious and political parties called on people to protest the attacks in the city.

Police stepped up patrols Friday to prevent possible violence after mobs went on the rampage, firing weapons, setting tires on fire and torching at least two buses in the aftermath of the Thursday attack, DawnNews reported.

The city of more than 18 million was quiet as most traffic remained off the road.

Police Chief Azad Khan said he had increased patrols to maintain peace, while a special team of senior investigators had been sent to the blast site.

The Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine was attacked at the busiest time of the week when thousands visit to pray, distribute food to the poor and toss rose petals on the grave of the saint.

One bomb went off as the suspected attacker was going through the metal detector before a long staircase leading to the main shrine area, said Babar Khattak, a senior police officer. A second blast followed 10 seconds later, farther ahead of the metal detector, he added.

Thursday’s attack was a stark reminder of the string of terrorist strikes in the past targeting shrines in the country. In one of the most serious attacks, suicide bombers attacked Lahore’s Data Darbar shrine in July, killing 47 people and injuring 180.