At least 30 Shias killed in coordinated AlQaeda attack near Pakistan-Iran border

Taftan – June 8, 2014 |

Quick Facts ( Sources: Express Tribune | Dawn )

Date and Time of Attack:
- Sunday night, June 8, 2014
Place of Attack:
- Hashmi Hotel and Syed Murtaza Hotel in Taftan
- Taftan is approx 600 km from Quetta
Terrorist group responsible:
- Jaish-ul-Islam – same as Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LEJ)
- All Al-Qaeda affiliated groups in Pakistan are from Deobandi Sect – a close ally-in-arms of Saudi’s official Wahabi (aka Salafi) sect/movement.
Victims:
- At least 30 Shias (includes 9 women, 1 child, 3 Hazaras from Quetta and rest are Shias from KP province in the North)
Injured:
- 14 shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) via Army helicopters. Of those injured, 7 have succumbed to injuries.

At least 30 Shias were killed (including 9 women and 1 child) and dozens injured in coordinated attack in Taftan – the Pakistani border town to Iran. The Saudi-inspired Jaish-ul Islam terrorist group, a local AlQaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The coordinated attack by multiple terrorists targeted pilgrims at Hashmi and Syed Murtaza Hotels in Taftan. According to sources, about 210 passengers were present at the two hotels when suicide bombers detonated their suicide vests, followed by intense firing by the other terrorist teams. At least one of the hotel structure have reportedly collapsed after the bombings.

Eyewitness testimony to Central Asia Online:

In the first attack, two suicide bombers attacked the Al-Hashmi hotel, where more than 100 pilgrims were staying.

“Masked suicide bombers soon after entering the Al-Hashmi hotel started firing indiscriminately and killed several pilgrims,” said Safeer Hussain, an eyewitness who was injured in the attack, told Central Asia Online. “When security personnel responded, the attackers detonated themselves and caused more casualties.”

Six pilgrims were reported dead in that attack.

A second attack at the Al-Murtaza hotel killed 26 pilgrims.

“We [300 pilgrims] arrived in Taftan in nine buses after a visit to the holy Muslim sites and were targeted soon as we were inside planning our accommodations,” eyewitness Fida Hussain said.

“Two suicide bombers hurled hand grenades before rushing into the hotel and starting heavy gunfire,” he said.

NOTE:

Attack on Karachi Airport:
Separately, AlQaeda affiliated Tehreek-e Taliban (TTP) terrorists carried out a brazen attack on Pakistan’s biggest airport in Karachi. Pakistan’s army commandos and various forces conducted an all night pitch battle with the determined terrorists.
In both cases, the attacks were carried out by the ultra-orthodox Deobandi sect which is closely allied with Wahhabis – the official sect of Saudi Arabia. Deobandi madrassas receive major funding from Saudi Arabia and other wealthy gulf nations. The Deobandi and Wahhabis pretty much consider all other forms of Islam as heretic and followers to be killed. They also hold same belief for followers of other faiths. In Pakistan, they frequently target Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Shias (Hazara community is one of their prime targets) and moderate Sunnis (Barelvis and Sufis).

Victims:

Haji Abdul Hamid (Hazara)
Chaman (Hazara)
Raza Chaman (Hazara)
(To be determined)

All three were residents of Hazara Town enclave in Quetta and were buried in Hazaratown graveyard [ funeral pictures ]

Injured list at the CMH:

1. Fiza Jan w/o Misbah Khalid, age 45 yrs.
2. Bakhtawar Jan w/o Najat , age 55 yrs.
3. Kishwar Jan w/o Maizai, age 45 yrs.
4. Ubeda Jan w/o Nijat Ali, age 50 yrs.
5. Mema Jan w/o Azhar Ali, age 50 yrs.
6. Rubena Jan w/o Moeen Hussain, age 47 yrs.
7. Anaiz Begum d/o Aman, age 20 yrs.
8. Umeen Taj d/o Nisar Ali, age 22 yrs.
9. Umazola Jan w/o Masroor Ali, age 51 yrs.
10. Benam Jan w/o Abid Hussain, age 37 yrs.
11. Saddiqa Jan w/o Nisar Ali, age 65 yrs.
12. Kousar Khatoon w/o Basar Hussain, age 42 yrs.
13. Syed Ali Shah, age 50 yrs.
14. Hikmat Hussain, age 80 yrs.

Condition of all patients is stable.
Courtesy : MaQtal e Quetta

Qudrat News: Jaish-ul- Islam terrorist Statement (Sunday, June 9, 2014)

(An English translation will be made available soon)

Hazara Organization for Peace and Equality (HOPE)

According to Hazara Organization for Peace and Equality (HOPE), Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist outfits have thus far claimed responsibility for 162 separate attacks on Hazaras killing over 1400 and injuring over 3500 [ See Google Map of all attack locations ].

Human Rights organizations have accused Pakistani Establishment for providing safe havens to these terrorists.

Statement from UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon – June 9

The Secretary-General strongly condemns yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the assault on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi in which reportedly at least 29 people died, and the suicide attacks targeting Shia pilgrims in Taftan, Baluchistan, which reportedly left at least 25 people dead and many more injured.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by this upsurge of violence across Pakistan. While acknowledging the measures already taken to maintain security, he urges the Government of Pakistan to further increase its efforts to address terrorism and religious extremism, including with a view to protecting the rights of all people to safely practice their religion, and to bring the perpetrators of such attacks to justice.

US State Dept: Karachi Airport Attack and Balochistan Shia Attack – June 9

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Sunday’s brazen attack on Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. We wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery. The United States condemns this brutal attack and stands steadfast in its commitment to the people of Pakistan in their efforts to counter terrorism and build a peaceful future. We support Pakistan’s efforts to bring all those involved in planning and executing this attack to justice.

Regrettably, the Pakistani people face violent assaults from numerous groups. On the same day as the airport attack, 30 Shia pilgrims were murdered in Balochistan, the latest innocent victims of sectarian violence. The United States also sends its sincere condolences to those affected by this heinous attack and strongly condemns those responsible. Extremist violence against innocent Pakistani men, women, and children of any faith is an assault on universal human values. We encourage the government to take steps to protect and improve the lives of members of Pakistan’s minorities and take concrete steps to promote tolerance and religious freedom.

aswj, deobandi, jaish islam, jaish-ul islam, lej, saudi, taftan