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4 killed in blast outside DIK Shia mosque

* Police says timed device used in explosion

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A bomb blast inside a Shia mosque killed at least four people and wounded two others on Monday, police said.

Local police officer Asghar told Daily Times over the telephone that the bomb went off inside Imambargah Hazrat Ali in Mohallah Roshan Chirgah as worshippers were coming out of the mosque after offering evening prayers.

Timed device: District police chief Abdul Ghaffar Qaiserani told AFP that it was a time-controlled device as police found a number of battery cells from the rubble, which indicated the bomb, planted near the main entrance, was on a timer.

Qaiserani declined to say if it was a sectarian attack, but similar bombings and gun attacks have taken place between the supporters of Shia and Sunni extremist groups active in Dera Ismail Khan, which borders the Tribal Areas.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast shattered the mosque’s front wall and damaged its dome. A crater was also caused near the front wall, AFP reported.

Twisted fans hung from the ceiling inside the mosque and prayer mats were scattered across the bloodstained floor.

The police cordoned off the area as people sifted debris looking for survivors.

Witnesses said that nearby markets were shut down immediately after the incident to curb possible protests.

Last month, gunmen opened fire on a car, killing four Shias in Dera Ismail Khan. Hours later, a Sunni Muslim was shot dead elsewhere in the city. agencies

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