Dozens Killed in Apparent Iranian Suicide Attack

15 December 2010

An ambulance attends the scene of a bomb blast in this image taken from TV, in Chahbahar Iran, 15 Dec 2010

Reports say the militant group Jundullah has taken responsibility for the carnage.

Worshippers had been gathering at the mosque in Chahbahar on the eve of Ashura, which marks the death of Shi'ite martyr Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.

One of those taking part in the ceremony, identified only as Rahimi, condemned the violence. Rahami says the goal of the attack is to divide Muslims and incite differences among them.

Shi'ites celebrating the holy day have been frequent targets during Ashura, especially those making pilgrimage to Iraq, where Hussein died.

Authorities say they have arrested someone they describe as a ringleader of the attack.

Jundullah has carried out high-profile attacks in the past, including violence at mosques and gatherings of Iran's Republican Guard. The government had hoped the group was weakened after it executed its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in June.

Iran had in the past accused the United States of aiding Jundullah, but Washington recently also designated it a terrorist organization.

Although Chahbahar is a relatively peaceful, prosperous city, it lies in impoverished Sistan-Baluchistan, a mainly Sunni province in the Shi'ite-run republic. The area borders Pakistan, and is also known as a transit point for drug and arms smuggling.