Hand grenade attacks kill two Ismailis, wound 28 in Karachi
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KARACHI: Twin hand grenade attacks killed at least two people and wounded 28 others belonging to Ismaili Muslim community, a faction of Shia Islam, in Pakistan's port city of Karachi on Tuesday, officials said.
The first attack took place in the Karimabad neighbourhood during rush hour, creating panic in the area.
“A hand grenade fell inside worship place of Ismaili community, killing a woman and a child and wounding 26 others,” senior local police official, Aamir Farooqi told AFP.
A local intelligence official also confirmed the attack and casualties.
Another hand grenade targeting Ismailis worshipping in the western district of Metroville injured two people, local police official Asif Ejaz Sheikh said.
Nobody has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks but Karachi, a city of 18 million people, is rife with murder and kidnappings and has been plagued for years by ethnic, sectarian and political violence.
Meanwhile, at least two people were injured in as many hand grenade and home-made bomb attacks in Karachi’s twin city Hyderabad. One of the attacks was reportedly targeted a stall, setup to sell national flags in the wake of Independence Day celebrations for August 14.
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Comments (14) Closed
Aug 13, 2013 11:38pm
I am a university student in Canada. I am from Ireland. I study banking and my subject is intl recipient of Monetary Funds. I have studied the Aga Khan closely and his various projects. In my opinion what the Aga Khan and his Grandfather has given Pakistan is something should be thought in every school and very men in Pakistan should read. Perhaps this will stop these bombings. Ismailis are the most peace loving citizens of any country they live in. It's a shame to hear the followers of Aga Khan were targeted.
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Aug 13, 2013 11:54pm
This is one of the worst articles I have ever read. Not only is the grammar terrible, but it is terribly biased in the way it describes Ismailis, It also sounds like this person has never been to Pakistan in the way that it talks about recent violence so vaguely.
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Aug 14, 2013 12:22am
this is what ismailis get at the eve of Pakistan independence; everyone knows the contribution of this and the ahmedi communities
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Aug 14, 2013 12:34am
One correction please for people's knowledge. Ismaili's are not a faction of Shias. Ismailis' current Imam wants them to follow Imam Abu Hanifa after him. So they are Hanafis in my view. Shias have twelve Imams only. The last Imam is accepted by all Muslims to be their Imam as well.
Having said that, this has got nothing to do with how a community should be treated in Pakistan for their beliefs. I believe in a totally secular form of government in which all people, Shias, Sunnis, Ismailis, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Qadianis, Zorastrians, Buddhists (Please excuse me if I forgot some other religious group) should be treated equally and also support that a true Pakistan belonging to any religion be elected to the highest office in the land.
I condemn the dastardly act of these terrorists which are waging a war against the citizens of Pakistan and trying to divide us into groups by targeting specific groups now (Remember divide and conquer rule). In the end they will target every one. So beware.
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Aug 14, 2013 01:32am
Cruelty at it's peak. What is wrong with this nation. No one is safe anywhere. People Were not safe in their homes and now they are targeting places of worship. Shame on us for not doing anything about it. Instead of celebrating our independence we should mourn. It would have been ideal if Pakistan was not separated from the Subcontinent. At least these innocent people wouldn't died.
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Aug 14, 2013 02:11am
A very sad day for Pakistan, when members of a community whose leaders were among the founders of the country, are some of the most peaceful and law-abiding citizens, and have contributed so much towards the country's development are targeted by those who have no ideology, no human value and have brought so much disrepute to the faith of Islam.
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Aug 14, 2013 02:23am
Shame on Sindh Govt. as well as Federal Govt. can not handle this terrorrism.
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Aug 14, 2013 03:15am
Every1 is turning on each other in the land of the pure. Enjoy
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Aug 14, 2013 03:51am
I always fail to understand the logic behind attacking places of worship. These terrorists are going after the innocent victims who have done no harm and their only fault is that they are practicing their faith. I don't know of any religion that would endorse this kind of behavior and only the "most sick" amongst us will ever carry through such barbaric acts. I hope the leaders will do whatever they have in their power, to catch these criminals and give them the severest punishment, to make sure no other innocent life becomes a victim. My heart goes out to the families of the lost ones and the injured. God bless them.
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Aug 14, 2013 08:05am
Dear Sir , i read your article about the attack at ismaili jamatkhana in karimabad, i think this was not necessary to mmention their spiritual leader who is a billionare lives in france. Let me emphasize this, if people like you write this kind uneducated remarks, i think Pakistan is in very serious situation, You should see what Agha Khan does, his action , for Islam not just for his community,,his grandfahter had a big hand for indenpendce of Pakistan and Quide Azam Jinnah was an ismaili, and always try to help and gives donation and he is always worried about Pakistan , i really dont understand how can you put such statement, what it does it creates bad and wrong impression about him , i think you should find out his work , no islamic leader does as much work for Islam than Aga Khan. You should be ashamed of yourself to prpogate such statement about one of finest islamic leader of the umma . you are ignorent i dont know what got in your mind to write such statement which had no meaning whatsoever thanh you may Allah give you knowledge
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Aug 14, 2013 10:19am
I condemn this attack, Ismailis are peace loving people. In this country there is no life security, no matter how much you try to avoid such things. This is as a result of the due failure of the government.
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Aug 14, 2013 10:32am
It is not best to say that he is a billionaire but he is some one who helps the developing countries and promotes pluralism. His physical home may be in France but he is always traveling to help the developing countries. He is some one who respects all religions and wants to promote this diversity and pluralism. You may get speechless when you see the amount of work, awards, and recognition he has received worldwide.
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Aug 14, 2013 02:22pm
Ismaili Muslim community is peacefull and honest community sindh goverment have to take some step otherwise all the ismailis muslim migrate to other place or other country
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Aug 15, 2013 09:20am
@Raza:
actually Raza ji you are totally incorrect. Ismailis are a sect within shia. The majority sect of shia that you are referring to are ithnaishiri. You need to do more research. Ismailis are as far removed from hanafis as could be. Please do your research.
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