Residents of Parachinar hold a protest rally against the ongoing massacre of Shia Muslims in Pakistan.
A powerful roadside bomb blast explodes near the Shia-majority town of Parachinar in Pakistan’s tribal region of Kurram, claiming the life of at least one person and injuring two others.
The casualties come after a passenger vehicle travelling from Parachinar to Piwar Tangi area of Upper Kurram Agency, was struck by a road side Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the Pakistan-Afghan border area, the daily Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday.
Rescue workers said the injured were transferred to a Parachinar hospital where they received necessary treatment.
The latest bomb attack comes two days after the twin powerful explosions that claimed the lives of at least 53 people and injured 197 others in Parachinar.
Pro-Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants, who are reportedly behind the killings, have imposed an economic blockade against the Shia-dominated population areas across the volatile northwest.
The frequent incidents have raised concerns among human rights groups, while moderate Pakistani Sunni groups have described the issue as a conspiracy against the country.
Taliban leaders, who were toppled in the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, took refuge in tribal regions of Pakistan and rapidly began to extend their influence from tribes to major towns and cities.
The pro-Taliban anti-Shia groups have launched a violent campaign against the Shia Muslims, and are stretching the campaign toward the restive southwestern Pakistan as well.
Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province has witnessed several instances of violence directed against the Hazara Shia community in recent months.
Several Shia religious gatherings have also been targeted in central province of Punjab over the past months.
Shia Muslims in Pakistan say the government must take decisive action against the forces involved in the targeted killings. They also accuse Islamabad of failing to provide security for the Muslim community.
The countryâ„¢s Shia leaders have called on the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the bloodshed.
Shias make up about a third of Pakistanâ„¢s population of over 180 million.
JR/PR
Republished from: Press TV