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August 2012 Mansehra Shia massacre

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August 2012 Mansehra Shia massacre refers to the massacre of 25[1] Shia Muslim residents of Gilgit-Baltistan travelling from Rawalpindi, Punjab to Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. The bus was stopped in Mansehra District and the people were killed after checking their identification cards which showed they were from the Shia community by individuals dressed in Military uniforms.[2][3][4] Darra Adam Khel faction of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed the responsibility for the attack.[5]

Background

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Main article: Sectarian violence in Pakistan

Religious extremism is prevalent in Pakistan. Members of the Shia community are targeted in a number of attacks against them in the country. There have been several Incidents of killing of Shia Muslims and bomb blasts in the Shia mosque in Pakistan.[6][7]

The sectarian violence incidents happened after the radical Islamisation policies of former military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq.[8] A systematic ethnic cleansing of Shia community is being carried out in Pakistan administered Kashmir.[9]

Incident

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Three buses were travelling from Rawalpindi, Punjab to Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan. On a section of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), in Mansehra District (an area dominated by Sunni tribes), 10 to 12 gunmen in military uniform flagged the buses for stopping. After the bus halted, the gunmen climbed on board and asked passengers for identification. They checked the identity cards of all the passengers. After which the gunmen dragged a group of Shia men. They were then sprayed with bullets from AK-47 Assault rifle.[1][5][10]

Response

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The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon termed the massacre as "appalling".[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Pakistan Shias killed in Gilgit sectarian attack". BBC News. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  2. ^ "25 Shias pulled off buses shot dead". Daily Times Pakistan. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Pakistan Shias shot dead in sectarian massacre". The Daily Telegraph. 16 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Shia Massacre in Gilgit: Fear anger grips city". India Today. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Gunmen execute 22 in Pakistan bus attack". Reuters. 16 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Pakistan is in denial over spreading sectarian violence". The Guardian. 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Pakistan sectarian bus attack in Kohistan kills 18". BBC. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Sectarian killings in Gilgit Baltistan". Dawn. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Ethnic cleansing of Shia Muslims in PoK". 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  10. ^ "At least 20 Shias pulled off bus, shot dead in northern Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. 16 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  11. ^ "UN secretary general 'appalled' by Pak Shia massacre". First Post. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2012.

Further reading

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