Pakistan launches crackdown after 80 killed in shrine attack
Two border crossings with Afghanistan closed and more than 30 militants killed overnight in retaliation to IS assault
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Pakistan has closed two of its borders with Afghanistan following the worst terrorist attack on its soil since 2014.
At least 80 people were killed and 250 wounded when a suicide bomber, claimed by Islamic State, targeted a shrine in southern Sehwan on Thursday.
"The floor of the shrine was still stained with blood on Friday morning as dozens of protesters pushed past police pickets demanding to be allowed to continue to worship there," reports Al Jazeera. At least 20 children are believed to be among the dead.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan's army chief, said: "Each drop of the nation's blood shall be avenged and avenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone."
More than 30 militants have been killed overnight and "scores" have been arrested in a security crackdown, says the BBC. The Pakistan Armed Forces has also demanded Afghanistan takes "immediate action" to prevent terrorists from hiding across the border.
Military spokesman Asif Ghafoor tweeted: "Recent terrorist acts are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond."
Afghan officials have denied the accusation.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Pakistan has demanded 76 wanted terrorists believed to be hiding in Afghan territory are handed over.
"Thursday's attack came after one of the bloodiest weeks in recent memory in Pakistan," says Al Jazeera. More than a dozen people were killed at a rally in the eastern city of Lahore on Monday in a suicide bombing claimed by a group linked to the Taliban.
Two police officers were also killed in the wave of attacks as they attempted to defuse a bomb on Tuesday in Quetta.
Thursday's attack on the Sehwan shrine attack is the deadliest in Pakistan since December 2014, when 154 were killed at a school in Peshawar. Most of the victims were school children.
-
What are the best investments for beginners?The Explainer Stocks and ETFs and bonds, oh my
-
What to know before filing your own taxes for the first timethe explainer Tackle this financial milestone with confidence
-
The biggest box office flops of the 21st centuryin depth Unnecessary remakes and turgid, expensive CGI-fests highlight this list of these most notorious box-office losers
-
Epstein files topple law CEO, roil UK governmentSpeed Read Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, is caught up in the scandal
-
Iran and US prepare to meet after skirmishesSpeed Read The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East
-
Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
-
China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military