Suicide Bombers Strike Shia Procession in Lahore
By William Tucker
On Wednesday three suicide bombers stuck a Shia procession commemorating the martyrdom of Hazarat Ali killing 31 and injuring scores more. The attack comes during a massive humanitarian crisis resulting from major flooding throughout the country. In response to the attack many of the mourners attacked a local police station for failing to prevent the bombings. The Shia's that were targeted make up a sizeable minority in Pakistan and are often targeted by the Sunni majority. In recent years groups such as the TTP and other Sunni militants have launched attacks attempting to exploit this division in Pakistani society. In spite of the flooding, Islamabad has continued its tepid offensive against militants along their shared border with Afghanistan. The Lahore bombing may have been the militants response to the continued military operations. With one-fifth of the nation under water this recent spate of violence couldn't have come at a worse time.


