Pakistan detains culprits behind Shia massacre
Pakistani law enforcement agencies have detained a number of Taliban militants who masterminded a deadly attack on worshipers at a Shia mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar back in February.
Pakistani security officials said on Friday that the militants were arrested during an operation in the militancy-riddled northwestern tribal region of Khyber Agency, English language newspaper Dawn reported.
According to sources, during a court appearance the men have confessed to taking part in the deadly attack that claimed the lives of dozens of Shia Muslims.
The men had provided the militants with weapons and vehicles that were used in the attack on the Shia mosque in Peshawar's Hayatabad neighborhood, they added.
More than two dozen people were killed and nearly 60 others injured when several pro-Taliban gunmen opened fire on worshipers inside the mosque and then blew up their explosives on February 13.
The development came two days after Pakistani security forces detained a suspected mastermind and several gunmen who allegedly massacred nearly 50 Ismaili Shia Muslims in the southern port city of Karachi in mid-May.
On May 13, at least 47 people were killed and several others wounded after armed men stormed a bus carrying Ismaili pilgrims in Pakistan’s largest city. A group of around eight pistol-wielding assailants stopped the bus and opened indiscriminate fire on passengers.
The attack was claimed by the pro-Taliban Jundullah terrorists, which had previously allied itself to the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.
Several protest rallies have been held in recent months across Pakistan to denounce the ongoing violence against Shia Muslims.
Muslims in Pakistan say the government must take decisive action against the forces involved in the targeting of Shias. They also accuse Islamabad of failing to provide security for the Muslim community.
The country’s Shia leaders have called on the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the bloodshed.
JR/AS/MHB
Pres. Raeisi lauds elites’ role in unifying Iranian, Pakistani nations
‘Inseparable bonds’: Raeisi says Iran, Pakistan resolved to boost all-level ties
Iranian president set to start Pakistan, Sri Lanka tour
Hamas to survive as Israel fails to destroy command centers, tunnels: US media
April 22: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
N Korea holds first ever 'nuclear trigger' drills, simulates counterattack
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | The Rise of Palestine Action
Pro-Palestinian protests gain momentum across US universities
Israel thirsty for murder, blood: Hamas on Gaza mass graves
VIDEO | Crimes and failures in Gaza
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
