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Death toll in Karachi violence hits 76
KARACHI, Pakistan, A grenade attack in a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday night killed five people and raised the death toll in three days of violence to 76, officials said.
The English-language Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported police said the attack during evening prayers was perpetrated by at least two men who drove up to the mosque on a motorbike. One of them was seen going inside just before the blast.
"The Isha prayers were in progress when he hurled a hand grenade, which exploded in the middle of the third row," a police official said, adding the attackers then escaped.
Karachi has been rocked by gunfire, arson and other violence since Syed Raza Haider, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was shot to death Monday. Beside those killed, scores more have been wounded, Dawn said.
The city was rife with arson, as vehicles, shops and pushcarts were set ablaze in several neighborhoods, Dawn said.
The violence prompted many businesses to close and travel was limited, the newspaper said.
The state run Chinese news agency Xinhua said police claimed to have arrested 68 people suspected of being part of the rioting. The news agency reported a higher number injured -- more than 200.
Xinhua said Haider's party had declared three days of mourning to observe his death.
KARACHI, Pakistan, A grenade attack in a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday night killed five people and raised the death toll in three days of violence to 76, officials said.
The English-language Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported police said the attack during evening prayers was perpetrated by at least two men who drove up to the mosque on a motorbike. One of them was seen going inside just before the blast.
"The Isha prayers were in progress when he hurled a hand grenade, which exploded in the middle of the third row," a police official said, adding the attackers then escaped.
Karachi has been rocked by gunfire, arson and other violence since Syed Raza Haider, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was shot to death Monday. Beside those killed, scores more have been wounded, Dawn said.
The city was rife with arson, as vehicles, shops and pushcarts were set ablaze in several neighborhoods, Dawn said.
The violence prompted many businesses to close and travel was limited, the newspaper said.
The state run Chinese news agency Xinhua said police claimed to have arrested 68 people suspected of being part of the rioting. The news agency reported a higher number injured -- more than 200.
Xinhua said Haider's party had declared three days of mourning to observe his death.