2009 Karachi bombing

Bombing in Pakistan

2009 Karachi bombing

The exact moment of the 2009 Karachi bombing

Location| Karachi, Pakistan
Date| 28 December 2009
16:13 (PST)
Deaths| 43[1]
Injured| 60
Perpetrators| Tehrik-e-Taliban

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Terrorist attacks
in Pakistan (since 2001)

Italics indicates attacks resulting in more than 40 deaths
‡ indicates attacks resulting in more than 100 deaths
Underline indicates the deadliest terrorist attack/s to date

2001|

* 1st Bahawalpur

2002|

* 1st Karachi

2003|

* 1st Quetta

2004|

* 2nd Quetta
* 1st Multan

2005|

* 1st Mandi Bahauddin (Ahmadiyya)

2006|

* 4th Karachi
* Dargai

2007|

* 1st Dera Ismail Khan
* 1st Charsadda
* July bombings ‡
* 2nd Rawalpindi
* 5th Karachi ‡
* 2nd Charsadda
* 3rd Rawalpindi (Bhutto assassination)

2008|

* 3rd Charsadda
* 2nd Parachinar
* 1st Swat
* 1st Islamabad
* 2nd Islamabad
* 2nd Dera Ismail Khan
* 1st Wah
* 1st Peshawar
* 3rd Islamabad
* 1st Orakzai ‡
* 2nd Peshawar

2009|

* 4th/5th Dera Ismail Khan (January violence)
* 6th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2nd Lahore (Sri Lankan cricket)
* 1st Khyber
* 3rd Lahore
* Chakwal
* 7th/8th Dera Ismail Khan (May attacks)
* 4th Lahore
* 3rd Peshawar
* 5th Lahore
* Usterzai
* 4th Peshawar
* 4th Rawalpindi
* Alpuri
* 6th Lahore
* 5th Islamabad
* 5th Peshawar ‡
* 5th Rawalpindi
* 6th Peshawar
* 6th Rawalpindi
* 7th Lahore
* 1st Dera Ghazi Khan
* 1st Lower Dir
* 6th Karachi

2010|

* 1st Lakki Marwat ‡
* 1st Bajaur
* 2nd Lower Dir
* 7th Karachi
* 2nd Khyber
* 3rd Khyber
* 8th, 9th & 10th Lahore
* U.S consulate/Timergarah attack
* 2nd/3rd Kohat
* 8th Peshawar
* 11th Lahore (Ahmadiyya)
* 9th Dera Ismail Khan
* 12th Lahore (Sufi)
* 1st Mohmand ‡
* 13th Lahore (Shia)
* 3rd Quetta
* 2nd Darra Adam Khel
* 8th Karachi (CID)
* 2nd Mohmand
* 2nd Bajaur

2011|

* Faisalabad
* 9th Peshawar
* 2nd Dera Ghazi Khan
* 4th Quetta
* 4th Charsadda
* 9th Karachi (PNS Mehran)
* 10th Peshawar
* 10th Dera Ismail Khan (police station)
* 4th Khyber
* 5th Quetta
* Karachi targeted killings ‡
* 1st Mastung

2012|

* 5th Khyber
* 1st Rahim Yar Khan
* 1st Kohistan
* Mansehra
* 13th Peshawar (airport)
* 11th Dera Ismail Khan

2013|

* 8th Quetta/3rd Swat ‡
* 9th Quetta
* 10th Karachi
* Election day
* Quaid-e-Azam residency
* 10th Quetta
* Mardan
* Nanga Parbat
* 11th Quetta/17th Peshawar
* 14th Lahore
* 5th Parachinar
* 12th Dera Ismail Khan (prison attack)
* 11th Karachi
* 12th Quetta
* 13th Quetta
* 18th Peshawar ‡
* 19th Peshawar

2014|

* 12th Karachi (Chaudhry Aslam assassination)
* 1st Bannu
* 2nd Mastung
* 20th Peshawar
* 13th Karachi (Jinnah International Airport)
* 14th Quetta
* Wagah border
* 21st Peshawar (school massacre) ‡

2015|

* Shikarpur
* 22nd Peshawar
* 15th Lahore
* 14th Karachi
* 3rd Mastung
* Attock
* Camp Badaber
* Taunsa Sharif
* 15th Quetta
* Jacobabad
* 6th Parachinar

2016|

* 16th Quetta
* 5th Charsadda (Bacha Khan University)
* 23rd Peshawar
* 16th Lahore
* 17th Quetta
* 3rd Mohmand
* 18th Quetta
* 2nd Khuzdar

2017|

* 13th Dera Ismail Khan
* 7th Parachinar
* 17th Lahore
* 24th Peshawar
* Sehwan
* 6th Charsadda
* 8th Parachinar
* 18th Lahore
* 25th Peshawar
* 4th Mastung
* 19th Quetta/9th Parachinar
* Chaman
* 19th Lahore
* 20th Lahore
* 4th Bajaur
* 20th Quetta
* 1st Harnai
* 14th Dera Ismail Khan (Ataullah Shah)
* Jhal Magsi
* 27th Peshawar
* 21st Quetta

2018|

* 28th Peshawar
* 5th Mastung/2nd Bannu ‡
* 15th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2018 election violence
* 22nd Quetta
* 2nd Orakzai
* 15th Karachi (Chinese consulate)

2019|

* 1st Loralai
* 2nd Loralai/Panjgur
* 23rd Quetta
* 20th Lahore
* 1st Gwadar

2020|

* 24th Quetta
* 25th Quetta
* 16th Karachi (Stock Exchange)

2021|

* 1st Machh
* 3rd Chaman
* 26th Quetta (Serena Hotel)
* 21st Lahore
* 17th Karachi
* 27th Quetta
* 28th Quetta

2022|

* 22nd Lahore
* 1st Kech
* Panjgur and Naushki
* 29th Quetta
* Sibi
* 29th Peshawar
* Sangan
* 18th Karachi
* 19th Karachi
* 1st Miranshah
* 4th Swat
* 2nd Lakki Marwat
* 30th Quetta
* 2nd Miranshah
* 3rd Bannu
* 7th Islamabad

2023|

* 31st Peshawar
* 20th Karachi
* Barkhan
* Bolan
* Havelian
* 3rd Lakki Marwat
* 8th Khyber
* 31st Quetta
* Muslim Bagh
* 32nd Peshawar
* Zhob
* 1st N Waziristan
* Bara
* Khar
* 2nd N Waziristan
* 6th Mastung
* Hangu
* 16th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2nd Gwadar
* Mianwali
* Chilas
* Daraban

2024|

* 2024 Balochistan
* BLA Gwadar attack
* Shangla
* Lakki Marwat
* 32nd Quetta
* Kurram

2025|

* Darul Uloom Haqqania
* Jaffar Express hijacking
* 7th Mastung
* North Waziristan clashes
* 2nd Machh
* 3rd N Waziristan
* 3rd Khuzdar
* Mir Ali
* 5th Bajaur

The 2009 Karachi bombing or Ashura attack took place on 28 December 2009 inside a Shia procession commemorating the day of Ashura, at Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road, Karachi, Pakistan. Ashura is the holiest of days for followers of Shia Islam and marks the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussain, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680. At least 30 people were initially reported to have been killed,[2] later figures revealed even more deaths while dozens were left injured in the wake of the attack. The attacker marched amongst the procession with tens of thousands of people attending the march.[3] There is some speculation amongst officials as to whether the nature of the blast was that of a suicide attack or a remotely detonated or planted bomb.[4]

## The attack

[edit]

On 28 December, a bomb blasted the Shia procession moving across a marked route on the Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city. Of tradition, the procession marked the death anniversary of the third Imam and the grandson of Muhammad. The bomber walked amongst the tens of thousands of Shia followers and attacked from within the walking procession resulting in fatal injuries to 43 people.[1]

Karachi has been involved in sectarian violence in the past and as a result, the Shia crowd turned hostile and immediately following the blast, turned their anger on the ambulance workers, security forces, and journalists on site.[2] Riots sparked throughout the city as mourners continued to stone ambulances and torch cars. Despite the City Government's appeal for a calmer reaction,[2] the place of the original incident was set ablaze by the angry crowd. Around 3,000 shops in the neighboring markets fell victim to the arson as people looted and then blazed the shops. Aggressive reactions resulted in the destruction of businesses incurring losses of up to a few billion rupees.[5]

## Aftermath

[edit]

In the wake of the attacks, Pakistani security forces were placed on high alert as Shia Muslims marked the holy month of Muharram. Thousands of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the city for the fear of further terrorist attacks on the Ashura processions in other parts of the city and the nation. Emergency was declared in all hospitals located in Karachi following the explosion and arson incidents.[6]

The arson was reported to have affected about 3,000 shops and the livelihoods of almost 10,000 people. The total loss incurred was Rs 30 billion in total.[5] The markets that fell victim to the arson attacks included the Bolton, Light House, Paper, and Allahwala markets. Later reports speculated that the loss estimated exceeded to a staggering 4,000 shops and 40,000 affected families. Where eyewitnesses stated that the police and Rangers did not take action against the arsonists and robbers, some people talk of the arson as an elaborate conspiracy.[7]

Funerals for the victims were held on Tuesday, 29 December 2009 as most of the city remained closed for business. Government offices remained closed before and after the funerals with an ongoing transport strike. Intermediate (Supplementary), B.Com. and other such examinations were postponed. The Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani provided in aid Rs 100 million ($1,470,913) towards the losses.[citation needed] On 30 December 2009, the city mourned the attack and observed a strike with shops closed throughout Karachi.

On 31 December 2009, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing. It was reported that Asmatullah Shaheen, militant commander working with the TTP claimed responsibility for the bombings. His interactions were received on a telephone call with news agencies.[1] Shaheen, a top ranking militant commander based in South Waziristan, is wanted by the Government of Pakistan and has a bounty of Rs 10 million ($147,091.30).[8][9] Shaheen also iterated that the group would carry out more such attacks in 10 days from the 28 December attack.[1]

Pakistani political and religious leaders called for a strike on Friday, 1 January 2010.[citation needed]

## Investigations

[edit]

Investigators in Karachi fell in doubt regarding the claims and called for experts from NWFP to determine the nature, design, and make of the explosives used in the bombing. In the wake of the attack, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders called upon President Asif Ali Zardari to constitute an inquiry commission to investigate into the Ashura attack.[5] Lack of forensic and ballistic expertise hampered the initial investigations and four days after the deadly incident, local police had yet not registered or recorded any statements from the survivors of the blast.[4] The case relating to the bombing was registered as an FIR numbered 1439/09 at the Preedy Police Station on behalf of the State under sections 302, 324, 435, 427 and 34 of Pakistan Penal Code, sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Act and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.[4] On 3 Jan 2010 Dr Moeed Pirzada in his TV program Dunya Today exposed that Ashura Day Bomb Blast that killed 52 injured 100 injured was not a suicide bombing but a remote-controlled device and that government were lying.[10]

On 4 January, after this program was aired the investigating agencies admitted that the explosion was caused by a bomb planted along the way of the procession instead of a suicide bomber. The explosives were reportedly planted inside a box, near the Light House Signal, nuts and bolts were also recovered from the site of the blast. Further investigation of the bodies revealed that they received cuts from pieces of steel from the box in which the bomb was placed.[11] Another new source claimed that the mastermind of the Ashura blast was arrested 10 days before the attack by the police. The source also claims that police had managed to hide the arrest and the knowledge thereof. During interrogation, perpetrator Sirajullah using the alias Zeeshan, revealed all the details of the attack, including planning and details of the explosives to be used. The culprit is still in custody and under interrogation.[12]

## See also

[edit]

* List of terrorist incidents in Pakistan since 2001
* Hussain ibn Ali

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Pakistan Taliban says carried out Karachi bombing". Reuters. 30 December 2009. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
2. ^ a b c "Bomb attack on a Shia march in the Pakistani city of Karachi". BBC News. 28 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
3. ^ "Deadly blast targets Shiite procession in Pakistan". CNN. 29 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
4. ^ a b c "Police yet to record statements of blast survivors". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
5. ^ a b c "Over 10,000 jobs, Rs 30 bn lost to arson in Karachi". Dawn News. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
6. ^ "Suicide attack on Ashura procession kills 30 in Karachi". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
7. ^ "KARACHI: Demand for judicial probe into blast, arson". Dawn News. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
8. ^ "Taliban own Karachi Ashura carnage". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
9. ^ "Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claims Karachi bombing". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
10. ^ "Investigation Report on Karachi Ashura Blast". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
11. ^ "Ashura blast not a suicide attack". The News International. Retrieved 5 October 2010.[dead link]
12. ^ "Mastermind of the Ashura attack was arrested 10 days before the blast". The Nation News. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2010.

## External links

[edit]

* Karachi blast video [1]
* Pakistan blast hits Shia procession on YouTube, Al Jazeera English, 2009-12-28

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