Taliban claim responsibility for fatal Pakistan blast

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Saturday for a blast that killed seven people, including three children, during a Shiite religious procession.

That bomb was planted in a garbage container and exploded as the last section of the procession, in which children were following adults, was passing by, police spokesman Khalid Sohail said.

Eighteen people, including five children and two police officials, were wounded in Saturday’s attack.

The spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, Ihsanullah Ihsan, said the group would continue “its mission” and attack Shiite Ashura processions across Pakistan.

Pakistan has been on high alert because of the two-day holiday of Ashura, in which believers mourn the death of a key imam from the 7th century. The government increased security for the Ashura observance.

Taliban claim blasts killing dozens in Pakistan

Shia Islam is a minority sect in the mainly Sunni Muslim country, and its members face persecution from extremists.

The government increased security for the Ashura observance, which ends Saturday.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik temporarily blocked cell phone services in cities, where gathered intelligence indicated the possibility of bombs detonated by cell phone. He also banned motor bikes, often used to conceal bombs, for two days in some cities.

Malik said the safeguards were specifically meant to protect Shiites.

Pakistan Taliban threaten to target India after execution of Mumbai attacker

Despite heightened security, at least 31 people were killed and 68 wounded in multiple bomb attacks Wednesday.

A Taliban spokesman said those attacks targeted Shiites, whom the terrorists believe denigrate the Prophet Mohammed with their religious observance.

Ashura commemorates the death of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The battle and subsequent death of Imam Hussein caused the split between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.