1/
The scourge of sectarianism increased in the 80s but systematic killings of the Hazara community increased manifold during 2003-2013 (also coincided with WoT).
I'll list down major terrorist incidents targetting the Hazara community since 2003.
The scourge of sectarianism increased in the 80s but systematic killings of the Hazara community increased manifold during 2003-2013 (also coincided with WoT).
I'll list down major terrorist incidents targetting the Hazara community since 2003.
2/
On 8 June 2003, two LeJ gunmen on a motorcycle martyred 13 Shia Hazara police cadets & injured nine in Quetta after intercepting their van at a traffic circle.
A few weeks later, on 4 July, three LeJ terrorists stormed the Imambargah-i-Kalan in Quetta during Friday prayers..
On 8 June 2003, two LeJ gunmen on a motorcycle martyred 13 Shia Hazara police cadets & injured nine in Quetta after intercepting their van at a traffic circle.
A few weeks later, on 4 July, three LeJ terrorists stormed the Imambargah-i-Kalan in Quetta during Friday prayers..
3/
..and opened fire for ten minutes on the more than 500 worshippers gathered with AK-47s and hand grenades. When assaulted by some worshippers, one of them exploded a suicide belt. Fifty-three Hazara Shias died and over sixty were injured.
..and opened fire for ten minutes on the more than 500 worshippers gathered with AK-47s and hand grenades. When assaulted by some worshippers, one of them exploded a suicide belt. Fifty-three Hazara Shias died and over sixty were injured.
4/
This was the worst sectarian massacre in Pak until tht year and a harbinger of worse to come in the same town in later years.
In September 2003 it was disclosed that Dawud Badini, a brother-in-law of the Al-Qaeda operative Ramzi Yusuf, was the mastermind of the 4 July carnage.
This was the worst sectarian massacre in Pak until tht year and a harbinger of worse to come in the same town in later years.
In September 2003 it was disclosed that Dawud Badini, a brother-in-law of the Al-Qaeda operative Ramzi Yusuf, was the mastermind of the 4 July carnage.
5/
On 2 March 2004 four gunmen, hurled hand grenades from rooftops and then kept firing with automatic weapons for twenty minutes on an Ashura procession in Quetta, martyring thirty-six Shia Hazaras on the spot. The attack was carried out by LeJ..
On 2 March 2004 four gunmen, hurled hand grenades from rooftops and then kept firing with automatic weapons for twenty minutes on an Ashura procession in Quetta, martyring thirty-six Shia Hazaras on the spot. The attack was carried out by LeJ..
6/
.., but preliminary investigations hinted at the involvement of Al-Qaeda, too.
On 18 Jan 2008 two convicted top terrorists of LeJ, Usman Saifullah Kurd and Shafiq ur-Rahman Rind, had escaped from the well-guarded HQs of the Anti-Terrorism Force in Quetta under mysterious..
.., but preliminary investigations hinted at the involvement of Al-Qaeda, too.
On 18 Jan 2008 two convicted top terrorists of LeJ, Usman Saifullah Kurd and Shafiq ur-Rahman Rind, had escaped from the well-guarded HQs of the Anti-Terrorism Force in Quetta under mysterious..
7/
..circumstances. They were later held responsible for much of the killing spree in Quetta in the following years.
Quetta was still spared larger bomb attacks in 2009, but the series of target killings of Hazaras picked up pace in that year, starting with the..
..circumstances. They were later held responsible for much of the killing spree in Quetta in the following years.
Quetta was still spared larger bomb attacks in 2009, but the series of target killings of Hazaras picked up pace in that year, starting with the..
8/
..DSP Hasan Ali (14 January) and the Chairman of the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) Husain Ali Yusufi (26 January). There were a number of similar murders in 2009, with very few of the perpetrators being arrested.
..DSP Hasan Ali (14 January) and the Chairman of the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) Husain Ali Yusufi (26 January). There were a number of similar murders in 2009, with very few of the perpetrators being arrested.
9/
In 2008–10 LeJ killers had operated with remarkable impunity in this town in spite of a heavy presence of security forces, but 2011 marked the beginning of a series of systematic murders of Hazaras. This ruthless campaign started shortly after Usama Bin Laden was killed..
In 2008–10 LeJ killers had operated with remarkable impunity in this town in spite of a heavy presence of security forces, but 2011 marked the beginning of a series of systematic murders of Hazaras. This ruthless campaign started shortly after Usama Bin Laden was killed..
10/
..in an American raid and LeJ was among the terrorist groups that vowed to avenge his killing.
On 6 May 2011 dozens of Shias making early morning exercises at a playground in Hazara Town were attacked with automatic weapons, rockets, and hand grenades..
..in an American raid and LeJ was among the terrorist groups that vowed to avenge his killing.
On 6 May 2011 dozens of Shias making early morning exercises at a playground in Hazara Town were attacked with automatic weapons, rockets, and hand grenades..
11/
..leaving at least six dead and fifteen wounded. Two weeks later a pick-up carrying ten Hazara passengers on their way back from a vegetable market was assailed by two gunmen who killed six of them on the spot and injured the others.
..leaving at least six dead and fifteen wounded. Two weeks later a pick-up carrying ten Hazara passengers on their way back from a vegetable market was assailed by two gunmen who killed six of them on the spot and injured the others.
12/
On 17 June the former Olympic boxer S. Abrar Husain was gunned down near a Quetta stadium. Six days later four people were killed and eleven others injured when gunmen fired at a bus carrying thirty Hazara pilgrims returning from Iran in Hazar Ganji town, Quetta.
On 17 June the former Olympic boxer S. Abrar Husain was gunned down near a Quetta stadium. Six days later four people were killed and eleven others injured when gunmen fired at a bus carrying thirty Hazara pilgrims returning from Iran in Hazar Ganji town, Quetta.
13/
On 30 July terrorists again intercepted a pick-up van carrying people from Hazara Town to Quetta city and opened fire indiscriminately at the passengers. Three died on the spot while eight others succumbed to their injuries on their way to the hospital.
On 30 July terrorists again intercepted a pick-up van carrying people from Hazara Town to Quetta city and opened fire indiscriminately at the passengers. Three died on the spot while eight others succumbed to their injuries on their way to the hospital.
14/
After all those murders the LeJ had claimed responsibility.
In August 2011 the group distributed a “night-letter” signed by "The Principal, LeJ Pakistan" on the streets of Marri-Abad (Quetta) stating all Shias are wajib-ul-Qatl.
After all those murders the LeJ had claimed responsibility.
In August 2011 the group distributed a “night-letter” signed by "The Principal, LeJ Pakistan" on the streets of Marri-Abad (Quetta) stating all Shias are wajib-ul-Qatl.
15/
Such threats were quickly followed up with more severe terrorist attacks.
On 2 September the Eid al-Fitr congregation at Alamdar Road had just finished prayers when a car loaded with explosives tried to get close but was intercepted.
Such threats were quickly followed up with more severe terrorist attacks.
On 2 September the Eid al-Fitr congregation at Alamdar Road had just finished prayers when a car loaded with explosives tried to get close but was intercepted.
16/
The terrorist then exploded the car on the spot which claimed eleven lives while scores of others sustained injuries, but the loss of lives could otherwise have been much higher.
On 20 September, a bus carrying fifty passengers, most of them Shia Hazara pilgrims..
The terrorist then exploded the car on the spot which claimed eleven lives while scores of others sustained injuries, but the loss of lives could otherwise have been much higher.
On 20 September, a bus carrying fifty passengers, most of them Shia Hazara pilgrims..
17/
..was intercepted 50 km west of Quetta by eight-ten armed men. They ordered the passengers to disembark, lined them up after checking their identity cards, and opened fire on them from close range, killing twenty-six people on the spot and gravely injuring eight others.
..was intercepted 50 km west of Quetta by eight-ten armed men. They ordered the passengers to disembark, lined them up after checking their identity cards, and opened fire on them from close range, killing twenty-six people on the spot and gravely injuring eight others.
18/
Later three others were killed who tried to bring the injured to Quetta in an ambulance.
Only three days later another bus was sprayed with bullets from a car a few miles south of Quetta, killing three Hazara passengers and injuring five others.
Later three others were killed who tried to bring the injured to Quetta in an ambulance.
Only three days later another bus was sprayed with bullets from a car a few miles south of Quetta, killing three Hazara passengers and injuring five others.
19/
Almost the same scenario was repeated on 4 October between Hazar Ganji and Akhtarabad when fourteen bus passengers were massacred.
According to an eyewitness, one of the terrorists said in reply to the last question of a victim: "You have not done anything wrong..
Almost the same scenario was repeated on 4 October between Hazar Ganji and Akhtarabad when fourteen bus passengers were massacred.
According to an eyewitness, one of the terrorists said in reply to the last question of a victim: "You have not done anything wrong..
20/
..but we have been told that killing one Shia will open five doors of heaven for us."
On 5 November a suicide bomber tried to strike worshippers in an Imambargah in Hazara Town but was prevented from entering.
..but we have been told that killing one Shia will open five doors of heaven for us."
On 5 November a suicide bomber tried to strike worshippers in an Imambargah in Hazara Town but was prevented from entering.
21/
On 7 June 2011, a rare bomb attack against a Deobandi Sunni madrasa was carried out in Quetta’s Satellite Town, killing sixteen and injuring forty-six. Shortly after, the terrorist campaign against Shias picked up again.
On 18 June a remote-controlled car-bomb killed..
On 7 June 2011, a rare bomb attack against a Deobandi Sunni madrasa was carried out in Quetta’s Satellite Town, killing sixteen and injuring forty-six. Shortly after, the terrorist campaign against Shias picked up again.
On 18 June a remote-controlled car-bomb killed..
22/
..five students in a passing bus of an IT university and injured at least seventy, many of them Hazaras. The same modus operandi was used against a bus with mostly Hazara pilgrims
returning from Iran near the fruit market in Hazar Ganji (Quetta).
..five students in a passing bus of an IT university and injured at least seventy, many of them Hazaras. The same modus operandi was used against a bus with mostly Hazara pilgrims
returning from Iran near the fruit market in Hazar Ganji (Quetta).
23/
On 1 September 2011 four armed men stopped a bus, told five Hazara men to get off, lined them up, and shot them dead.
Two others were killed at a bus stand minutes after the
first shooting.
On 1 September 2011 four armed men stopped a bus, told five Hazara men to get off, lined them up, and shot them dead.
Two others were killed at a bus stand minutes after the
first shooting.
24/
The worst massacres ever in Quetta were committed in the first months of 2013. On the evening of 10 January, a suicide bomber exploded his device in a snooker club in Alamdar Road. Ten minutes later a bomb planted on an ambulance car detonated outside the club..
The worst massacres ever in Quetta were committed in the first months of 2013. On the evening of 10 January, a suicide bomber exploded his device in a snooker club in Alamdar Road. Ten minutes later a bomb planted on an ambulance car detonated outside the club..
25/
..destroying the building and damaging fifty shops and nearby houses. Most of the ninety-six killed, including twenty-five rescue workers and nine policemen, were Hazaras.
On the following day, hundreds of Hazaras began a sit-in on Alamdar Road with the..
..destroying the building and damaging fifty shops and nearby houses. Most of the ninety-six killed, including twenty-five rescue workers and nine policemen, were Hazaras.
On the following day, hundreds of Hazaras began a sit-in on Alamdar Road with the..
26/
coffins of eighty-seven victims, refusing to bury their dead until their demands were accepted.
The protests were only called off after Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who had come to Quetta for negotiations, announced the imposition of Governor’s rule in Balochistan..
coffins of eighty-seven victims, refusing to bury their dead until their demands were accepted.
The protests were only called off after Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who had come to Quetta for negotiations, announced the imposition of Governor’s rule in Balochistan..
27/
after sacking the provincial government of Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani on 13 January.
The chief minister, who for days had refused to return to Quetta from abroad after the gravest terrorist attacks so far in the town, was unrepentant and..
after sacking the provincial government of Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani on 13 January.
The chief minister, who for days had refused to return to Quetta from abroad after the gravest terrorist attacks so far in the town, was unrepentant and..
28/
..claimed that he had been sacked for his refusal to hand over the Reko Diq gold mines to an international consortium.
On 16 February 2013 another major terrorist attack shook Hazara Town. Liquid explosives were used for the first time with the composition of diesel..
..claimed that he had been sacked for his refusal to hand over the Reko Diq gold mines to an international consortium.
On 16 February 2013 another major terrorist attack shook Hazara Town. Liquid explosives were used for the first time with the composition of diesel..
29/
..and potassium chlorate when a water tank loaded on a tractor-trolley detonated in a crowded bazaar at 5.30 pm.
At least four markets and over twenty shops caught fire or were razed to the ground by the explosion which also destroyed many vehicles..
..and potassium chlorate when a water tank loaded on a tractor-trolley detonated in a crowded bazaar at 5.30 pm.
At least four markets and over twenty shops caught fire or were razed to the ground by the explosion which also destroyed many vehicles..
30/
..again thousands of Hazara men, women, and children staged a protest sit-in and refused to bury their dead, demanding that the security of Quetta should be handed over to the army.
..again thousands of Hazara men, women, and children staged a protest sit-in and refused to bury their dead, demanding that the security of Quetta should be handed over to the army.
31/
On 15 June 2013 a female suicide bomber sneaked into a bus parked in the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University premises in Quetta and blew herself up after some forty girl students, most of them Hazaras, had boarded, killing fourteen..
On 15 June 2013 a female suicide bomber sneaked into a bus parked in the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University premises in Quetta and blew herself up after some forty girl students, most of them Hazaras, had boarded, killing fourteen..
32/
..when 22 injured girls were brought to the Bolan Medical College hospital’s emergency, another suicide bomber struck there and gunmen started indiscriminate firing at the hospital staff, as well as on security forces & government officials who had rushed to the place.
..when 22 injured girls were brought to the Bolan Medical College hospital’s emergency, another suicide bomber struck there and gunmen started indiscriminate firing at the hospital staff, as well as on security forces & government officials who had rushed to the place.
33/
The DC of Quetta was among the thirty dead in the combined attacks which, according to a LeJ spokesman, came in retaliation to a raid by security forces on militants in the Kharotabad area of Quetta on 6 June.
The DC of Quetta was among the thirty dead in the combined attacks which, according to a LeJ spokesman, came in retaliation to a raid by security forces on militants in the Kharotabad area of Quetta on 6 June.
34/
On 30 June a suicide bomber detonated his vest after a failed attempt to enter an Imambargah in Aliabad Bazaar (Quetta) killing twenty-eight people, most of them from the Hazara community.
On 8 August a gathering of policemen attending the funeral prayers for an officer..
On 30 June a suicide bomber detonated his vest after a failed attempt to enter an Imambargah in Aliabad Bazaar (Quetta) killing twenty-eight people, most of them from the Hazara community.
On 8 August a gathering of policemen attending the funeral prayers for an officer..
35/
..shot down on the same day was hit by a suicide bomber. 38 died, among them the DIG Police, Fayyaz Sumbal. The Balochistan police had in the months before stepped up its efforts to nab sectarian militants in Quetta, so retaliation from the extremists had been expected.
..shot down on the same day was hit by a suicide bomber. 38 died, among them the DIG Police, Fayyaz Sumbal. The Balochistan police had in the months before stepped up its efforts to nab sectarian militants in Quetta, so retaliation from the extremists had been expected.
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