Pakistan: Deadly Suicide Blast Marks Red Mosque Siege Anniversary
By Animesh Roul
A powerful suicide explosion near Melody Square in Islamabad has left nearly 20 people, including 10 security force personnel, dead and more than 40 people critically injured. The Sunday evening (July 06, 2008) blast occurred in front of Aabpara police station. The blast coincided with the first anniversary of deadly Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) raid. Earlier in the day hundreds of people, mostly supporters of Islamic radicals comprising clerics and students, descended to the streets of Islamabad to mark the anniversary. Needless to say, the weeklong raid last year marked the resurgence of Islamic violence and wave of suicide bombings across Pakistan. Government forces have stormed the pro-Taliban Mosque on July 03 last year only to evict terrorists who had taken sanctuary within it. When the Mosque administration established Shari’ah court hundreds of Pro-Taliban terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Harkat-ul Mujahedeen entered Islamabad and made Lal Masjid their 'ideological shelter'.
Today's blast, according to sources, targeted at the Reserve police personnel and took place immediately after the crowd gathered near the Mosque to mark the anniversary, dispersed after the meeting. Media covering the rally informed that many leaders of militant outfits (e.g. Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Jaish-e-Mohammed) have attended the event.
News Links
Pakistan Islamists vow jihad year after mosque siege
Thousands in Pakistan mark Lal Masjid operation anniversary
For pictures from Blast Site, See, Suicide bomber kills 11 Pakistani policemen