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Attack on Shiite mosque in southern Pakistan kills dozens

By JC Finley
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, pictured in 2013, condemned the Jan. 30, 2015 attack on a mosque in Sikarpur district and expressed his condolences to the affected families. UPI/Dennis Brack/Pool
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, pictured in 2013, condemned the Jan. 30, 2015 attack on a mosque in Sikarpur district and expressed his condolences to the affected families. UPI/Dennis Brack/Pool | License Photo

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Dozens were reportedly killed and another 50 injured in an attack on a Shiite mosque in southern Pakistan on Friday.

The explosion, which may have been initiated by a suicide bomber, rocked the Shikarpur district mosque during Friday prayers. A resulting roof collapse trapped an unspecified number of people.

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It is unclear how many died in the attack. The number of reported fatalities has ranged from 40 to 70.

With many critically wounded, police expect the death toll to rise.

Some expressed concern about the ability of medical facilities to care for the wounded. Twitter user Khurrum SherZaman wrote that with only three ambulances in Shikarpur district, the wounded were transported to a local hospital by donkey carts, rickshaws and motorcycles.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, for which the Jundallah militant group, which is linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility.

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