| 2004 Quetta Ashura massacre | |
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| Location | Quetta,Balochistan,Pakistan |
| Date | 2 March 2004 (2004-03-02) |
Attack type | Hand grenades,Shooting andRockets |
| Deaths | 49 |
| Injured | at least 100 |
| Part ofa series on the |
| Hazaras |
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 Commons |
The2004 Quetta Ashura massacre was aterrorist attack on 2 March 2004 during anAshura procession in the southwestern city ofQuetta,Pakistan. At least 42 people were killed and more than 100 wounded.
People going forwudu to recite prayers heard gunshots and thenoha khwuan in the truck shouted that the people who were going forwudu should run for their lives.
In those days Ashura had no security.[1] The attack took place in LiaqatBazaar. Almost all of the victims wereHazara. The incident occurred just after theKarbala Ashura bombings inIraq.
ShiaMuslim processions are held throughout theworld to commemorate themartyrdom ofImam Hussain Ibn Ali on theDay of Ashura.[1] Like other parts ofPakistan,Quetta has Shia Muslims who mainly belong toHazara community. In Quetta, the Ashura procession starts fromAlamdar Road, where theImambargahs gather from around the city mainly fromHazara Town. The procession moves to Mezan Chowk, whereprayers are offered,Matam is performed. The process moves to Liaqat Bazaar and ends on Alamdar Road.
TheAshura procession was on its traditional route. When it reached the mainBazaar, three terrorists on the roof of a building threwgrenades on the participants, followed by firing with automatic weapons before they blew themselves up, which left around 50 people dead and more than 100 injured.[1][2][3]
The police identified the assailants bodies after DNA tests and investigations. They belonged toLashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), a bannedPakistaniterrorist group. Thepolice arrested a police constable who allegedly allowed the terrorists to use his house to plan the attack.[4]
United Nations Secretary GeneralKofi Annan condemned the attacks.[5]
The, Secretary-General ofOrganization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Abdulwahed Belkeziz said[5]
Such terrorist acts can only be designed to incite sectarian (Sunni-Shia) strife and infighting among Muslims and to shed their blood.
The Embassy of Japan inIslamabad issued a press release[5]
Japan is deeply shocked and angered by the terrorist bombings in Baghdad and Karbala, Iraq, and the attacks in Quetta that occurred on Tuesday, causing many deaths and injuries. Terrorism cannot be justified on any account. Japan reiterates its firm condemnation of brutal terrorist attacks, which victimize the innocent. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and the bereaved and wish the injured will have a speedy recovery.
Interior Minister of Pakistan,Faisal Saleh Hayat condemned the attack and said[3]
These misguided extremists want to create chaos in the country.
