Pakistani security personnel surrounds a damaged police van in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. A powerful bomb exploded near security forces guarding a famous Sufi shrine in Pakistan on Wednesday, police said. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Suicide Blast Near a Shrine in Pakistan Killed 10

A bomb exploded near the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday, May 8. It is said that the target is the police as the bomb exploded near the guard security forces. The attacker could have gone to the market to do the suicide blast, but he went to the police’s vehicle immediately. 

Data Darbar shrine is one of the largest Sufi shrines in South Asia. The shrine is the burial site of Ali Hajveri. Therefore, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the site each spring on the anniversary of his death.

On the latest blasts which took place on Wednesday, at least 10 people were killed and many are injured. The attack happened during the time when there were not many citizens near the guard security forces. However, the victims are policed and some citizens.  

Data Darbar has been threatened numerous times because it is a home for the Sufi Muslims. Sufism is considered as ‘un-Islamic’ because of it’s a mystical form of Islam. Data Darbar has been receiving thousands of threats every day, but it has been more massive since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 

Mian Aslam Iqbal, the provincial health minister, made an appeal to the Pakistanis. He said for people to keep an eye on their surroundings, especially during the time people enter mosques to pray and Taraweeh (special Ramadan prayers). 

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/world/update-2-blast-near-shrine-in-pakistan-nine-dead-police