New Delhi: At least 13 people are dead and 20 others wounded after a blast ripped through a Shia procession in the Punjab province on Sunday. The explosion occurred in Khanpur town shortly after a 'Chehlum' procession left a Shia prayer hall.
Around 150 people were participating in the procession. Shia processions taken out on this day have also been attacked in the past.
However, regional police chief Zahir Abid Qadri said an 'alam' or flag carried by the procession had touched overhead electric wires, causing a short circuit.
A nearby transformer then exploded, he said. Qadri contended that the incident was not an act of terrorism. He further said he had no confirmation of any deaths.
The 'Chehlum' of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain or the 40th day from Muharram, witnesses large rocessions of Shia Muslims across Pakistan.
Authorities have put in place strict security arrangements as Shia processions have been attacked on this day in past years.
With additional information from PTI
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