ISLAMABAD: At least 18 people were injured after a vehicle rammed into a Muharram gathering in Karachi on Sunday night, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said, as provincial government ordered an inquiry into the incident.
A CCTV footage shows a Suzuki pick-up ramming into a tent put up by Shia Muslims for Muharram. The incident took place outside Masjid-o-Imam Bargah Baqiyatullah, located on Karachi's Saba Avenue area in Phase VI of the Defence Housing Authority.
Speaking to Arab News, a police official said all three persons inside the vehicle were under the influence of alcohol. However, Arab News was unable to independently verify the claim.
Wahab said he visited the mosque and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) on Sunday night to meet the injured and their families.
“In the unfortunate incident, I can so far confirm that there are 18 injured people including 3 people who were in the car,” Wahab said. “There are no casualties.”
The Karachi mayor said two of the injured persons are critically wounded and being attended to, adding that the condition of others is stable.
“Inquiry is ongoing, and details will be shared once the inquiry is complete,” Wahab said.
Shia Muslims throughout Pakistan organize processions and gatherings in Muharram every year to mourn Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Militants in the past have targeted Shia Muslims in Pakistan during Muharram, forcing authorities to take stringent security measures. These measures include strict security checking, increased deployment of law enforcement personnel, and suspension of cellular services.
