Leaders of Shiite community call govt. to carry out clean-up operation against terrorist groups in Peshawar

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Expressing anger over relentless incidents of target killings and sectarian violence, leaders of Shiite community have called the government to carry out clean-up operation against terrorist groups in Peshawar and ensure protection to the lives and properties of masses.

Speaking at a press conference here at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, Shiite community leader Jawad Hadi said that the government and security agencies have failed to take action against terrorist groups, allegedly involved in the massacre of innocent people in Peshawar and elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorists groups, he said, have apparently targeted the Shia community, over the past many days in Peshawar. He said the recent suicide attack on Pak Hotel left innocent people, including women and children, belonging to Shiite sects killed and maimed.

Flanked by Shiite Ulema including Khurshid Anwar Jawadi, Asghar Rahjani, Abid Ali Shakari, Arif Hussain Hassaini, Anjuman-e-Momineen Pak Hotel president Askar Ali and members of the community, he alleged that terrorists groups were involved in the killing of their two leaders Allama Musvi and Sardar Ali Asghar. He said that terrorists were even not spared mosques, imambargahs, bazaars and residential areas while targeting innocent people.

"We demand solid steps for security and protection to the lives and properties," he said and warned that no more massacres of innocent people would be tolerated. He viewed that terrorists groups want to create rift among Shia and Sunni sects, and they would not be succeeded in their nefarious mission.

He also urged the judiciary to take action against terrorist organisations by following constitution and laws, and to get rid of the people from menace of terrorism.

Earlier, the community members and activists of Imamia Students' Organisation staged a protest rally on main Sher Shah Suri Road against the suicide attack on Pak Hotel in Koche-Risaldar near Qissa Khawani Bazaar.

FUNERAL PRAYERS OF EIGHT BLAST VICTIMS OFFERED

Amid tears and grief, funeral prayers of eight people killed in a suicide blast on the main gate of a hotel in Peshawar were offered in Kurram Agency on Wednesday.

The blast occurred at the main gate of Pak Hotel at Kocha Risaldar, a Shiite dominated neighbourhood in Peshawar city, resultantly nine people have been killed and 50 others sustained injuries.

Most of the victims were hailing from Parachinar, Kurram Agency. The funeral prayers of eight victims were offered at the central Imambargah in Parachinar amid tear and grief. Later, their coffins were sent to their native villages for burial.

To express solidarity with families and condemn killing of people in the suicide attack, all trade markets remained closed in Kurram Agency. Tribes have announced three days mourning against the tragic incident.

In Peshawar, where the blast have happened Kocha Risaldar, all the markets and shops remained closed. Several houses, shops and vehicles have damaged in the blast. To probe into the incident, police have formed a three members committee.

In the initial report, it has been said that the bomber was aged between 17 to 18 years of age. More investigation is in progress. Political and religious parties have condemned the blast and called for tightening security to protect lives, honour and properties of the common people.

Hospital sources said that at least 27 injured of the blast are still admitted, four of them were stated to be in critical condition. Police will soon release sketch of suicide bomber to media.

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