NAJAF, Aug 10: A suicide bomber killed 35 people near one of Islam’s holiest shrines on Thursday, in what Iraqi leaders branded an attempt to sow sectarian hatred and destroy a fragile peace process.
The attacker detonated an explosives-packed vest at a police checkpoint in Najaf, a short distance from the mausoleum of Hazrat Ali (RA).
“This terrorist tried to enter the shrine, but he wasn’t able to because of security procedures,” said a statement from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s office.
“This attack resulted in 35 persons killed and 122 wounded, including some Iranian pilgrims,” the statement said.
