UCA News
Contribute

Eight Hazara Shias killed in Pakistan bus attack

Sunni militant group believed responsible
Eight Hazara Shias killed in Pakistan bus attack
Published: October 23, 2014 08:37 AM GMT
Updated: October 22, 2014 09:37 PM GMT

Eight members of Pakistan’s embattled Hazara Shia community were shot dead in the troubled southwestern Baluchistan province on Thursday, police said.

The sectarian attack happened in Hazar Gunji on the outskirts of Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan.

Senior police officer Imran Qureshi said four to five gunmen riding motorbikes opened fire on a bus carrying members of the minority community.

“Eight people have been killed in the shooting and one is injured,” Qureshi said. “Police teams escort Hazaras whenever they leave their main town. But on this occasion, they did not inform the police before leaving.”

Dozens of enraged Hazara youth took to the streets in Quetta, burned tires and called for the arrest of those responsible.

The Shia organizations Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) and Shia Ulema Council (SUC) have announced three days of mourning.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the shooting, but suspicions are likely to fall on the Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). Baluchistan province is plagued by both an armed rebellion and religious extremism.

According to Pakistan’s independent Human Rights Commission (HRCP), 200,000 Shias, 100,000 settlers and 10,000 Hindus have migrated to other provinces and foreign countries over the last five years due to increasing violence.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia