Karachi:
A suicide bomber targeted the Muslim Shia Ashura procession in Karachi on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 50 others in a sectarian hit.
Dense smoke rose from the site of the blast as people ran in panic. Witnesses and reporters said police fired in the air immediately after the explosion. Ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where an emergency was declared.
Monday's attack was Karachi's third in as many days, despite police and security agencies enforcing a massive vigil over the traditional procession's route.
A large police contingent was guarding the procession and sharp shooters were deployed on rooftops on key roads. However, the bomber managed to evade the security ring. "We have retrieved the head of a bomber, which confirms it was a suicide attack," Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said.
Angry members of the procession attacked media and police personnel and set five cars on fire.
The attack came close on the heels of militant bombings in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir Muzaffarabad and Karachi on Sunday night, which killed eight people.