Thanks to extraordinary security measures by law enforcing authorities, Ashura concluded incident free in most parts of Pakistan, though sectarian clashes in Rawalpindi overshadowed the peacefulness as an angry mob rioted against the police during a procession in the city.
The chaos began around 3:00pm in the afternoon, when a group of men reportedly snatched guns from the police and began firing at them. Meanwhile, unknown men put a portion of the Raja Bazaar and a mosque on fire.
The incident and subsequent clashes resulted in the deaths of at least eight people and injured over 80 people. A large number of shops were also gutted.
In other parts of the country, though, the government’s promise of ‘foolproof security’ seemed to come good. In Karachi, police arrested several suspected militants while in Lahore, a host of security cameras were at work on preventing terrorist activity.
At the end of the day, Imran Khan and Sharjeel Memon tweeted congratulating K-P and Sindh respectively on a peaceful Ashura.
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End of live updates
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12:40am
Authorities have imposed a curfew in parts of Rawalpindi.
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12:15am
In the aftermath of the Pindi tragedy, security has been put on a high alert in Lahore.
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11:50pm
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority restores cellular services in Lahore.
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11:00pm
PTI chief Imran Khan and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon congratulated the authorities and security forces in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa and Sindh respectively for a peaceful, terror-free Ashura in the two provinces.
Chairman @ImranKhanPTI congratulates IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & all Police officers for maintaining law & order in province during Ashura.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 15, 2013
Excellent job in Moharam by Sindh Police, Rangers , army and intelligence agencies. Thanks God.
— sharjeel inam memon (@sharjeelinam) November 15, 2013
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10:50pm
Sindh government extends ban on pillion riding by two more days.
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10:45pm
Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has condemned the Rawalpindi riots and expressed sorrow at the eight deaths.
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10:35pm
The entire city police has been summoned to Fawara Chowk in Rawalpindi.
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10:20pm
Reg Rawalpindi everyone must show restraint & not let a few people create divisions in the name of Shia's & Sunni's.
— Syed Ali (@Sahpk22) November 15, 2013
10:15pm
Reports indicate a mosque was burned down in Rawalpindi. The flames have now been extinguished.
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10:10pm
ISPR’s Asim Bajwa commends forces for a peaceful Ashura.
#Muharram:Better Coordination,harmony amongst all LEAs, pre deployment political work,vigil by the society, all contributed to peace
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 15, 2013
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10:00pm
Rawalpindi death toll rises to eight, number of people injured reported to be over 80.
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9:45pm
Many injured several dead after clashes break out all over the city following an alleged anti-Shia sermon. Cloth Market set on fire. #Pindi
— Yasmeen Ali (@yasmeen_9) November 15, 2013
can we can rid of blame games/ stop appreciating negativity.we as nation have entangled ourselves in pointless conflicts like Shia/sunni etc
— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) November 15, 2013
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9:40pm
Mourners turned into the mourned. Pakistan today. RIP: "@HasnainRaxa: @MehrTarar Four died in sectarian clashes in Rawalpindi."
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) November 15, 2013
And this country was made for Muslims to practice their beliefs freely…Not for Shias or Sunnis to kill each other! #Rawalpindi #Ashura
— Zoii (@zoya_altaf) November 15, 2013
3 Shias and 3 Sunnis died in #RawalPindi but both lost today. Those who seek to divide won.
— Abdul Sattar Edhi (@EdhiAbdulSattar) November 15, 2013
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9:30pm
Cellular services have been partially restored in many cities. They will be restored in K-P by 10pm, and in Lahore by midnight.
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8:45pm
Over 50 reported injured in Rawalpindi. The injured are being taken to the District Headquarters Hospital.
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8:15pm
Seven people have been reported dead and over 20 injured from sectarian clashes between Shia and Sunni groups in Rawalpindi.
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8:00pm
Express News correspondent Adnan Mukhtar reported that although a hoarde of fire brigades have arrived at the site, the flames are yet to be completely dowsed.
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7:30pm
Three people have been reported dead from clashes at Fawara Chowk near Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi.
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6:35pm
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah says 80% of Muharram processions in Punjab were conducted peacefully.
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6: 29pm
As fire engulfs part of the cloth market Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi, Express News correspondent Imran Asghar reported that at least six troops from the Pakistan Army have been called in to control the situation. Security and rescue services are at work alike.
Firing has now stopped, but the fire is yet to be completely extinguished.
No injuries have been reported as yet.
6:23pm
Pakistani journalists tweet about the law and order situation in Rawalpindi.
BREAKING NEWS. The cloth market in Rawalpindi has been put on fire by terrorists. They also manhandled press photographers & broke cameras.
— Syed A. Mateen (@syedamateen) November 15, 2013
A cloth market near Fawara Chowk #Rawalpindi set on fire by people (Unidentified) engaged in clashes.
#dunyatv
#Ashura
— Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) November 15, 2013
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5:58pm
After firing took place at an Ashura procession in Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi, an angry mob turned against the police. The situation soon got out of hand and the army was called in, Express News reported.
Political leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties are currently holding a meeting with security officials at the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) building to come up with a solution for the law and order problem.
6000 police personnel are on duty in Rawalpindi to ensure security for the procession moving from the Aashiq-e-Hussain Imambargah. Medical camps have been set up along the route as well.
Screengrabs of escalating violence at Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi:
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5:20pm
In Sukkur, large crowds are out as part of the processions. The procession is expected to end around 10pm. At least 3,000 policemen and 2,000 rangers are present, along with a bomb disposal squad.
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5:10pm
Karachi police say they have arrested a number of suspects, but have not released any additional information.
Express News says a ‘complete shield’ has been formed for the Karachi procession. Security will be provided to the procession as it heads back.
In Lahore, thousands of cameras are operating to prevent any untoward incident. Both static and mobile cameras are being used to broadcast live footage to security officials. The Lahore procession is expected to culminate at 6pm. At least 20,000 security officials are on-ground right now.
In Gujranwala, police officials have also arrested one suspect.
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5:00pm
Many politicians tweeted as they observed the Ashura.
Libaas hai phata hua/Ghubar mn atta hua/Tamaam jism e naznee/Chida hua katta hua/Yeh kon zewaqar hai/Bala ka shehsawar hai….
— Babar Awan (@DrBabarAwan) November 15, 2013
Paani piyo tou yaad karo piyaas Imam ki, piyaason piyo Sabeel shaheedon kai naam ki #Ashura
— sherryrehman (@sherryrehman) November 15, 2013
MQM leaders also attended Ashura processions in Karachi.
Picture: Members Coordination Committee #MQM attended Ashoora procession in #Karachi #Pakistan #MQM . pic.twitter.com/61RLDZ0fGA”
— Mustafa Azizabadi (@azizabadi) November 15, 2013
“@kamranshahid90 #HamarayHainHussain @abidifactor @SsamanJay @SumetaSyed @WasayJalil @RashidGodilMQM @faisalsubzwari pic.twitter.com/qC75OBT9vz”
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) November 15, 2013
#HamarayHainHussain @abidifactor @SsamanJay @WasayJalil pic.twitter.com/KcOmhascWk
— kamran shahid (@kamranshahid90) November 15, 2013
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3:22pm
CNBC Pakistan reports that unidentified armed men opened fire near main Muharram procession at Fawara Chowk of Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi.
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3:20pm
The entry and exit points in the way of Karachi’s main procession have been sealed, while aerial monitoring has been done as well to ensure fool proof security.
The procession is still at the Tibet Centre.
An aerial view of Karachi’s main procession
In Rawalpindi, the main procession is on its way to the culmination point as scheduled under tight security. Many have expressed satisfaction over the security measures taken by the government.
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2:40pm
Sajdey main sar,galay par khanjar aur teen din ki piyas! Esi namaz Phir na hui Karbala k baad #ImamHussain #Karbala
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) November 15, 2013
Shameful how Occupation forces of "secular" India in IOK ban Muharram processions & put MirWaiz under house arrest.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 15, 2013
Security forces/scouts/bomb disp risking their own lives 4 safety of ashura jaloos. May Allah be their hafiz &return everyone home safely.
— Alizeh Iqbal Haider (@AlizehIHaider) November 15, 2013
Imam Hussain (AS) martyrdom gave birth to Patience, steadfastness and sacrifice. #ImamHussainMessage
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) November 14, 2013
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2:03pm
Lahore’s main Zuljinnah procession, which was taken out at midnight, started at Nisar Haveli and will terminate at the Karbala Gamay Shah this evening.
In Karachi, around 700 large and small processions have been taken out throughout the city. The main procession has been taken out from Nishtar Park, near Soldier Bazaar.
In Quetta, the main procession will be taken out from the Imambargah on Alamdar road, terminating at the same point.
Peshawar’s main procession will be taken out after Zuhr prayers from the Imambargah in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area and will terminate at the same point.
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1:08pm
The main procession in Karachi has reached Tibet Centre where the gatherers are performing the Zuhrain prayers.
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1:00pm
Note to myself: Your phone is not in silent mode. It has been silenced so that life keeps buzzing & the life network goes on! Small mercies!
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) November 15, 2013
Imam Hussain (A.S) stood for peace, justice and fairness. Yazid fought for terrorism, evil and tyranny. #LabaikYahussain #Ashura
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaGeoNews) November 15, 2013
Imam Hussein's sacrifice is the tale of divine love for his Creator, it requires no validation from us mortals.
— Ali Rizvi (@Rizvinator) November 15, 2013
I know people who are not Shia but fast on Moharram 9 and 10 out of respect and to commemorate Hussain AS sacrifice #Ashura
— beena sarwar (@beenasarwar) November 15, 2013
whether you mourn or not, there is a saddening affect to the 10th of #Muharram it's inevitable
— Saira Agha (@cheenaagha) November 14, 2013
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12:30pm
Security in Karachi is being monitored from Hassan Square and Nishtar Park by around 200 cameras placed throughout the city. The East SSP Syed Pir Muhammad Shah said that full proof security was organized for processionists.
A security personnel checking a processionist on Muharram 9 at Sector G-6/2 on Thursday. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
People take part in a procession held on Muharram 9 to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Sector G-6/2 of Islamabad. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
People take part in a procession in Sector G-6/2 of the federal capital. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
Security forces have taken extraordinary measures to quell terror threats. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
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12:00pm
Mobile services have been suspended in parts of Pakistan on account of Muharram 10, while strict security measures are put in place to ensure safety of the people attending Ashura processions.
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11:50am
A hand grenade exploded near Zainul Abideen Imambargah in North Nazimabad, Karachi injuring three policemen who were sent to a hospital for treatment.
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Muharram 9
Yesterday, police foiled major terrorist activity by killing six alleged terrorists of the banned religious outfit, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
LeJ’s Karachi chapter chief of the Asif Chohtu group, Gul Hasan, and two alleged suicide bombers, Muhammad Arif alias Salahuddin alias Mairaj alias Javed Chashma and Naveed Baloch alias Chohta, were among the suspects killed in an encounter with the officials of the Anti-Extremist Cell (AEC) of the Crime Investigation Department.
On the same day, an attack on a police armored van near the Zainul Abideen Imambargah had injured a police official. Unknown armed assailants had hurled a small Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from the Naagan roundabout flyover and it landed on top of a police van.
At the time of the explosion, a congregation was underway at the Imambargah. Firing was also reported immediately after the blast.
Muharram 8
On Wednesday, at least 12 people including law enforcers and media personnel got injuredin bomb blasts and a grenade attack outside two imambargahs in Karachi.
The bomb blasts took place outside an imambargah in the city’s North Nazimabad locality where a gathering of mourners had concluded an hour ago.
View our slideshows of Muharram here:
Ashura around the world
Remembering the sacrifices of Karbala martyrs