Alwaght- A blast ripped through Ashura parade in central Pakistani province of Punjab killing at least 3 and wounded over 50, local and foreign media reported.
Reports said that the security was high during the religious ceremony marking the 10th day of Muharam as the security officials learn from the similar experiences in the past.
Videos posted on social media platforms showed mourners bleeding from injuries.
“We have confirmation of three dead and 50 injured from the blast at the procession site,” said a senior government official in the city of Bahawalnagar, in Punjab province.
Kashif Hussein, a local police officer, confirmed to the Associated Press news agency the death toll.
As part of security arrangement, the authorities suspended mobile services in the province.
Anti-Shiite groups in Pakistan have bombed shrines and targeted Ashura ceremonies in attacks that killed thousands over years.
Ashura is an annual ceremony marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. The day is marked across the Muslim world, mainly by Shiites. Muslim communities around the world also commemorate Imam Hussein every year.
