A major terror attack stuck near the shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town of Pakistan’s Sindh province, killing at least 72 people and injuring more than 150 others. As per reports, the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province group has claimed responsibility for the terror attack, a report by ‘The Indian Express’ has said.
The blast took place during Dhamal, a sufi ritual, when many devotees were present in the premises of the saint’s mausoleum. Every Thursday, devotees gather at the shrine to take part in dhamaal as weel as prayers. The attack on the shrine had come next day after Pakistan government vowed to take tough actions to “liquidate” all elements that pose threat in the peace and security of the country.
FILE PHOTO: A woman clad in burqa walks in the hallway of the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Usman Marwandi, also known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, in Sehwan Sharif, in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province. (Reuters)
This shrine is named after Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, who lays buried here. He was a Sufi philosopher-poet of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The shrine is also called Lal after the sufi saint’s usual red attire.
The shrine holds much importance in India’s neighbouring country. Thousands of people visit the shrine every Thursday to pay homage to the Sufi saint. The saint in his life had taught people about true Islam. In most of his teachings, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar stressed on following Imam Ali and mourning for Imam-e-Hussain. In fact, the famous song ‘Dum a Dum Mast Qalandar’ song was inspired from this shrine.
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Unfortunately, the shrines in Pakistan have been targetted many times. The Tehreek-e-Taliban terrorits have on several occasions targeted Sufi shrines across Pakistan. As per reports, since 2005, more than 25 shrines have been attacked across the country.