Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KARACHI396
2009-12-28 15:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:  

SUICIDE BOMBING DURING MUHARRAM PROCESSION IN KARACHI -

Tags:  PGOV PTER PK 
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VZCZCXRO6544
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKP #0396 3621524
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281524Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL KARACHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1460
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0914
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2781
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4663
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0367
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1918
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0322
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KARACHI 000396 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O 12956: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PK

SUBJECT: SUICIDE BOMBING DURING MUHARRAM PROCESSION IN KARACHI -
SITREP 1

UNCLAS KARACHI 000396

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O 12956: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PK

SUBJECT: SUICIDE BOMBING DURING MUHARRAM PROCESSION IN KARACHI -
SITREP 1


1. (SBU) Summary: A suicide bomber attacked a Muharram procession
in Karachi on December 28. Preliminary reports indicate 25 dead and
82 wounded. Following the initial explosion, marchers attacked
security personnel and vehicles. Leaders from all political parties
are calling for calm in the city. End Summary.


2. (SBU) A suicide bomber detonated himself in the midst of a
Muharram procession at 1615L on December 28. The bombing, on M.A.
Jinnah Road, was approximately 3km northwest of the consulate office
building. Casualty figures are still rising, but currently stand at
25 dead and 82 injured. Over 10,000 security personnel were
assigned to the procession route and roads blocked. However, the
attacker was still able to get into the procession. No one is
hazarding a guess yet as to the identity or affiliation of the
bomber, although most politicians view it as an extension of the
recent attacks in other parts of the country. One "suspicious
individual" was arrested at the scene. Following the explosion,
marchers began attacking security personnel and vehicles. Several
ambulances and police vehicles were damaged by the explosion and
subsequent rioting. There are reports of sporadic acts of violence
in the city, mainly shops being set on fire, but nothing
widespread.


3. (SBU) In an effort to quell potential sectarian violence,
leaders from both the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Muttahida
Quami Movement (MQM) took to the airwaves to urge calm. Syed
Mustafa Kamal, mayor of Karachi, called for citizens to "not take
law and order into their own hands" as this was not an attack on a
particular group, but an "attack on all people of Karachi." Farooq
Sattar, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis deemed the attack a "strike
at the jugular vein of Pakistan."


4. (SBU) All Consulate Karachi personnel are accounted for (tdy
and permanent). The area of the procession was restricted by RSO in
a security notice issued last week, and no consulate personnel were
in the area. Post will continue to monitor the situation overnight,
but currently plans to maintain normal operations.

MADDEN