25 dead as bombers hit Shiite Muslim procession

Three bombs ripped through a Shiite Muslim religious procession in the Pakistani city of Lahore yesterday, killing 25 people and wounding about 150 others.

The explosions appeared to be the latest in a string of attacks by Sunni extremists against the minority Shiites they consider infidels.

The blasts were the first major attacks since Pakistan was hit by devastating floods more than a month ago. Lahore, the country's political capital and home to much of its military elite, has been regularly targeted by militants over the past two years.

The bombs exploded at three separate sites last night as 35,000 Shiites marched through Lahore in their traditional mourning procession for the caliph Ali, one of Shiite Islam's most respected holy men.

After the blasts, the marchers erupted in fury, setting fire to a police station, another police facility, two police cars and three motorcycles, said Zulfiqar Hameed, a senior police officer. Police used tear gas and fired shots in the air to disperse the assailants.

The first bomb detonated in the street near a well-known Shiite building, Mr Hameed said. Hundreds of people fled from the scene, while others rushed to carry the wounded to safety.

Minutes later, a male suicide bomber tried to force his way into an area where food was being prepared for the marchers to break the Ramadan fast and detonated himself. Another suicide bomber detonated himself near the end of the procession.

Abbas Kumaili, a prominent Shiite scholar as well as a senator, called for three days of mourning and lashed out at the bombers.

"They are our enemies, both Shiites and Sunnis should remain united and foil their evil designs," he said.