2009 Karachi bombing

On 28 December, a bomb blasted the Shia procession moving across a marked route on the Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city. Of tradition, the procession marked the death anniversary of the third Imam and the grandson of Muhammad. The bomber walked amongst the tens of thousands of Shia followers and attacked from within the walking procession resulting in fatal injuries to 43 people. ==Aftermath==

In the wake of the attacks, Pakistani security forces were placed on high alert as Shia Muslims marked the holy month of Muharram. Thousands of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the city for the fear of further terrorist attacks on the Ashura processions in other parts of the city and the nation. Emergency was declared in all hospitals located in Karachi following the explosion and arson incidents. The arson was reported to have affected about 3,000 shops and the livelihoods of almost 10,000 people. The total loss incurred was Rs 30 billion in total. Funerals for the victims were held on Tuesday, 29 December 2009 as most of the city remained closed for business. Government offices remained closed before and after the funerals with an ongoing transport strike. Intermediate (Supplementary), B.Com. and other such examinations were postponed. The Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani provided in aid Rs 100 million ($1,470,913) towards the losses. On 30 December 2009, the city mourned the attack and observed a strike with shops closed throughout Karachi. On 31 December 2009, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing. It was reported that Asmatullah Shaheen, militant commander working with the TTP claimed responsibility for the bombings. His interactions were received on a telephone call with news agencies. Shaheen, a top ranking militant commander based in South Waziristan, is wanted by the Government of Pakistan and has a bounty of Rs 10 million ($147,091.30). Shaheen also iterated that the group would carry out more such attacks in 10 days from the 28 December attack. Pakistani political and religious leaders called for a strike on Friday, 1 January 2010. ==Investigations==

Investigators in Karachi fell in doubt regarding the claims and called for experts from NWFP to determine the nature, design, and make of the explosives used in the bombing. In the wake of the attack, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders called upon President Asif Ali Zardari to constitute an inquiry commission to investigate into the Ashura attack. On 4 January, after this program was aired the investigating agencies admitted that the explosion was caused by a bomb planted along the way of the procession instead of a suicide bomber. The explosives were reportedly planted inside a box, near the Light House Signal, nuts and bolts were also recovered from the site of the blast. Further investigation of the bodies revealed that they received cuts from pieces of steel from the box in which the bomb was placed. Another new source claimed that the mastermind of the Ashura blast was arrested 10 days before the attack by the police. The source also claims that police had managed to hide the arrest and the knowledge thereof. During interrogation, perpetrator Sirajullah using the alias Zeeshan, revealed all the details of the attack, including planning and details of the explosives to be used. The culprit is still in custody and under interrogation. ==See also==