Blast at Pakistan shrine kills 43

*    Blast within the premises of the shrine
*   At least 43 killed, 100 people injured
*   Difficulty in reaching site of incident due to its remote location
*   No major hospital nearby

At least 43 people were killed and 100 were injured this evening in an explosion at the shrine of Shah Norani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan of Pakistan.

"43 people have died and dozens injured in the incident," confirmed Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti.

The explosion took place at the spot where the dhamaal is performed, within the premises of the shrine.

Security forces have reached the spot of the incident. Emergency services are facing difficulty in reaching the site of the incident due to its remote location and poor communication infrastructure. The shrine is also located in hilly terrain, further adding to the difficulties being faced by emergency services.

No group has yet taken responsibility of the attack.

"People who are critically injured in the blast will be transported to Karachi," said Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti.

No major hospital is located near the shrine, and the injured will be shifted to Karachi for further treatment. Reportedly the injured are being shifted in private vehicles.

While answering a question regarding security measures in Balochistan, Bugti said "If there is security lapse on part of the state, those responsible will be held accountable".

The shrine is frequented by a large number of devotees on Friday, and is visited by people from across the country. Iranian nationals also frequent the shrine.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has expressed his grief over the killing of innocents and condemned the blast at the shrine of Shah Norani.

Copyright: Dawn/ANN