Seven pilgrims killed in attack in Iraq
Seven Shiite pilgrims were gunned down Sunday in a town south of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said.
The attack occurred at 3 p.m. in Salman Pak when the pilgrims were walking to Kadhimiya in northwestern Baghdad to commemorate the death of revered figure Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, the official said.
The pilgrims, all males, were carrying black flags and chanting religious songs before the attack, the official said.
Authorities are searching for the assailants, the official said.
Salman Pak — also referred to as al-Madaen — is a predominately Sunni town. It was controlled by al Qaeda in Iraq before the Iraqi security forces managed to gain control of much the area. Still, there are al Qaeda in Iraq cells in villages around the town.
Over the past few days, hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims started walking toward Kadhimiya, a Shiite neighborhood, for the annual commemoration of al-Kadhim’s death. Many have traveled — either by foot or by car — from across the country, especially southern Shiite provinces.
Brig. Gen Qassim Atta, spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, said at a news conference Sunday, “A large number of security forces have deployed to provide security for the pilgrims by establishing checkpoints and by sending foot patrols and preparing additional forces to deal with emergencies.”
Atta said people going into Kadhimiya are not allowed to carry weapons, bags, cell phones or any type of communication devices like radios.
He also warned pilgrims about taking food or drinks from people they don’t know and not to believe rumors about suicide bombers. During the pilgrimage in 2005, about 1000 pilgrims died in a stampede that grew from a rumor of a suicide bomber.
Atta said he has more than 200 women conducting searches in Kadhimiya because of a rise in female suicide bombers.
The Imam Moussa al-Kadhim’s shrine is one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/27/iraq.main/index.html
