At least 29 people were killed and 50 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a funeral procession in north-western Pakistan on Friday (February 20). According to reports, the fatal incident occurred in the Dera Ismail Khan town near the Afghan border when some Shiite Muslims were progressing towards a mosque to offer funeral prayers for a community member who was murdered on Thursday (February 18).

 

After the bomb blast, violence erupted in the region and angry mobs of Shiite Muslims torched vehicles and damaged the nearby shops. Gunfire also broke out. In order to control the situation, authorities have imposed curfew in the town. Although the city’s chief administrator Syyed Mohsin Shah officially said that 20 people were killed but unofficial sources claimed that 29 dead bodies were moved to the hospital.  

 

The funeral procession was attended by more than 1,500 people. According to Syyed Mohsin Shah initial investigation claimed that the brutal attack might have been carried out by a suicide bomber. He also informed that security forces have been deployed in the town with shoot-at-sight order. The town of Dera Ismail Khan has been witnessing deadly sectarian violence between majority Sunni and minority Shiite communities. The recent bomb blast might also be the cause of the conflict between two sects.