10 killed in suicide attack at Shia shrine in Pakistan

KARACHI: At least 10 minority Shia Muslims, including six children, were killed and 12 injured today when a suicide bomber wearing a burqa blew himself up at a shrine in a village in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province as the worshippers gathered to observe the holy month of Moharram.

The bomber entered the Imambargah, used for religious services, in the remote Chalgari area of Kachhi district at the time of evening prayer and exploded his explosive-laden vest.

"At least 10 people were killed and 12 others were wounded after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the shrine," Balochistan home minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

Bugti said there were six children between 10 and 12 years old among the dead and that some women had also died.

The explosion was heard in a wide area and shattered windows in the nearby vicinity.

Security forces reached the blast site and cordoned off the area.

Police said since the village was in a remote area the rescue workers and paramedical officials were finding it difficult to shift the injured to the only health unit in the area.

"They are now being shifted to Sibi," Bugti said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but Sunni extremist groups often target minority Shias.