Update 3: Death toll in Pakistan funeral blast reaches 32

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least 32 persons were killed and 85 others injured in a powerful suicide blast during funeral procession of Shia elder near Shobara hotel here on Friday, DCO Syed Mohsin Shah said.

“The funeral procession accompanying the body of Shia elder, Sher Zaman killed yesterday by unknown gunmen, was moving towards the graveyard when it reached near Sobara hotel a powerful explosion took place,” he told reporters.

The DCO said that curfew has been imposed in the city and army has been called in. He also vowed to bring perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

Mohsin asked the people to remain in-door as shoot on sight orders have been issued. The DCO said security personnel are patrolling the roads and streets to avoid loss of life and property and maintain order.

The injured were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Dera Ismail Khan, Bhakkar and CMH. Emergency has been declared in DI Khan hospital while doctors on leave have been called back. The condition of several victims was stated to be critical. The enraged mourners and family members of the victims protested the incident and resorted to aerial firing.

The protestors burnt tyres and pelted stones on buildings and vehicles. Police rushed to the scene and started search operation. The situation in the city remained tense as intermittent incidents of firing are still reported from interior city.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti strongly condemned the suicide attack.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The death toll of Dera Ismail Khan suicide attack has reached to 31 whereas more than 85 sustained injuries in the incident.

Army has taken the control of the city due to deteriorating law and order situation and curfew has been imposed in the city.

According to DCO Mohsin Shah, angry mob started damaging the property and carried out intense firing after which curfew has been imposed. The curfew would remain continued for two to three days more. Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued to control the situation.

According to initial reports, twenty people were killed and several injured when a blast occurred in a funeral procession. All markets were closed after the blast and angry people set on fire a bus.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Hyder Hoti have strongly condemned the incident.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The death toll of Dera Ismail Khan suicide attack has reached to 20.

Army took the control of the city due to deteriorating law and order situation. According to initial reports, a suicide blast occurred in funeral procession near imam baragah Kotli Imam Hussain killing 20 and injured several people. Police said the explosion happened near Shobra hotel.

The injured were shifted to district headquarter hospital and emergency has been imposed in the hospitals. All markets were closed after the blast as angry person set on fire a bus.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Ten people were killed and 15 injured in an explosion near Shobra hotel on Friday.

According to police sources, the blast occurred when hundreds of people were attending the funeral prayer of a person Sher Zaman, who was shot dead in a target killing incident yesterday.

Eyewitnesses said it was a suicide blast. The injured were shifted to district headquarter hospital. Situation become tense in the city and all markets have been closed after the blast.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the explosion.