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Eight innocent people of Shia community in Quetta (Balochistan province) have been killed in a brutal attack targeting them this morning, May 6, 2011. The attack also injured over a dozen people of the same community.
According to The Associated Press, local Shia people of Hazara ethnicity (Persian speaking) were talking a morning walk near the Hazara Town graveyard in Quetta, capital city of Balochistan province, when a pickup carrying armed men arrived and the attackers opened fire on the group of Shia people. They also fired rockets at the targeted civilians. As a result, eight people died on spot while 15 others were wounded. The injured were rushed to the hospital. By the time police and security officials reached the crime scene, the attacks had escaped. A search operation has been started in the area.
Sectarian attacks have been reported in abundance from different parts of the country, particularly from Parachinar (Kurram Agency) and Hangu region, for over a decade. But Shia community is also being targeted increasingly in all provinces of the country. This fresh attack on the Shia community is an example of the religious/sectarian intolerance and the failure of authorities as well as community leaders in bringing different factions together in peace.
