Bombing outside Shiite mosque in Pakistan kills 21

Feb 17, 2012, 11:11 GMT

Islamabad - At least 21 people were killed Friday when a bomb exploded outside a Shiite mosque in Pakistan's north-western tribal region along the Afghan border, security and health officials said.

The blast took place in Parachinar, the main city in the Kurram tribal district, as worshippers were leaving the mosque after Friday prayers.

A security official in Parachinar said the bombing appeared to be a suicide attack, which destroyed several cars parked near the mosque.

Twenty-one people were confirmed dead and 20 of the 41 injured were in critical condition, Habibullah Jaan, in charge Casulty Department at city's main hospital said by phone.

Hassan Jaan, a spokesman for the Shiite group the Imamia Student Organization, said most of the casualties were Shiite Muslims.

Fazal Saeed Haqqani, a Taliban leader in the area, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kurram has a long history of violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Battles intensified in 2009 when hundreds of well-armed tribesmen attacked each other's villages, leaving hundreds of people dead.

The fighting was also joined by the Taliban, who belong to the Sunni sect.

Last year, the Pakistani government arranged a peace deal between the rival groups, but small attacks have continued.

Following the attack on the mosque on Friday, angry crowds of Shiite Muslims took to the streets to protest the assault. Jabar Khan, an eyewitness, claimed that the security forces opened fire at the crowd, killing six people.

There was no official confirmation of the incident. However, security forces imposed a curfew in Parachinar to halt protests.