At least 83 people were martyred and more than 343 were injured when a suicide bomber attacked the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Shewan on Thursday evening.
Taluka Hospital Medical Superintendent Moinuddin Siddiqui confirmed that at least 72 bodies have been brought to the hospital while more than 343 injured were shifted to the hospital.
Read more: Balochistan: Three Army soldiers martyred in Awaran
The explosion took place at the spot where the dhamaal (Sufi ritual) was being performed, within the premises of the shrine.
SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat told media that initial report suggests that it was a suicide bombing on portion reserved for women in the shrine.
"It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Shewan", SSP said.
Sources on the ground have reported that thousands of people had gathered at the shrine today.
Read also: Peshawar: Two killed, 18 injured in Hayatabad blast
This is the seventh terror attack in five days in different cities of Pakistan including capitals of Punjab and Balochistan. On Monday, a suicide attacker claimed 14 lives outside Punjab Assembly on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. The martyred included Chief Traffic Office, Syed Mobin Ahmad and Deputy Inspector General of Police.
View more: Police officials among 14 martyred in Lahore suicide bombing
Last year in November, a similar kind of bomb blast was reported at Shah Noorani shrine in Hub area of Balochistan that left over 52 killed and dozens of others wounded.
An emergency has been declared in the hospitals of the area, with the injured being shifted to Liaquat Medical Complex Jamshoro and the sub-district hospital.
#Sehwan. PAF C 130 will lift injured from Nawab Shah airport. Navy heli will lift injured from Sehwan and surroundings.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed immediated assistance to be provided to civil authorities. Army contingents have been dispatched along with medical personnel. Combined Military Hospital Hyderabad has been alerted to receive casualties.
#COAS directed imed assistance to Sehwan blast victims. Army /Rangers moved incl medical support. Hyderabad CMH ready to receive casualties.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
The shrine is situated slightly off the Indus Highway in Jamshoro district.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah phoned the senior civil and police officials of the district and instructed them to reach the shrine.
Sehwan in Jamshoro district is the constituency of Sindh's chief minister.
“Recent terrorist acts are being executed on the directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond,” DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a statement.
Recent Ts acts are being exec on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017
Political leaders including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a statement, condemned the deadly attack:
The attack on the shrines of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar represents an attack on the progressive, inclusive future of Pakistan: PM Nawaz Sharif
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 16, 2017
We must stand united in this struggle for the Paki identity, and universal humanity.We have faced tougher circumstances,nd still persevered.
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 16, 2017
Strongly condemn the blast at Sehwan. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the families of the victims. Praying for the recovery of injured
— Sardar Ayaz Sadiq (@AyazSadiq122) February 16, 2017
Shocked & saddened by condemnable terrorist attack inside Sufi shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar targeting innocent ppl incl women & children.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 16, 2017
I strongly condemn terrorists attack at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine. #Sehwan
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) February 16, 2017
