Rawalpindi imambargah attack: Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of TTP claims responsibility

Security forces secure the site of a blast in Rawalpindi on January 9, 2015. — AFP

A police officer and local residents gather next to a damaged motorcycle at the site of a blast in Rawalpindi on Jan 9, 2015. – AP

ISLAMABAD: A faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Saturday claimed responsibility for the the imambargah blast in Chitian Hatian area of Rawalpindi, which killed seven people and wounded 18 others.

The blast took place outside Imambargah Aun Mohammad Rizvi in Chatian Hatian area of Rawalpindi also damaging the building. An Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) congregation was being observed at the imambargah at the time of the blast.

Police officer Raja Abdul Rasheed told that the explosion targeted the mosque affiliated with Shia Muslims.

Rasheed said the explosion also wounded 16 people. He said authorities believe the bomber tried to go into the imambargah. When he was stopped at the entrance, he blew himself up outside.

"We claim responsibility of the attack on the Imambargah and vow to continue such attacks against enemies of Islam," spokesman of Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said in an email.

"We want to make it clear to these infidel rulers that we will not be impressed by any of their laws or hangings," he added.