At least 20 killed in attack on Shiite gathering in Pakistan

An attack on a Shiite congregation in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Friday has claimed the lives of at least 20 people and injured more than 50 others.

The attack was carried out with explosives and firearms by members of Jundullah, an offshoot of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The militants entered the congregation, known as an imambargah, dressed in police uniforms while attendees were offering prayers.

In a statement, Jundullah claimed the attack was in response to the execution of a militant known as “Doctor Usman” in December. Usman had been imprisoned for his role in an attack on Pakistan’s army headquarters in 2009.

The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leaders of other major political parties in Pakistan. Shiite organizations called for a three-day period of national mourning for the victims.

After an assault on a military school in Peshawar in December left 145 dead — the most deadly attack in Pakistan’s history — the prime minister lifted the country’s ban on the death penalty in a move to crackdown on militants. In January, the use of military tribunals was approved to bring rapid verdicts to detained militants. Since the death penalty was reinstated, more than 20 people have been executed.

This is the deadliest attack targeting Shias in Pakistan since Jan. 31, when an explosion at an imambargah in Shikarpur killed 60 people. That attack was also claimed by Jundullah.