43 bus attack victims laid to rest in Karachi

KARACHI (Staff Report) - With hearts shattered by pain and souls burdened by grief, the Ismaili community with a large number of other Pakistanis has buried the 43 men and women who were gunned down by terrorists in Karachi's Safoora Goth area on Wednesday morning.

A mass funeral was taken place in the Karachi for the victims of militant attack.

At least 45 people were killed in the massacre on the city's outskirts.

Flags are flying at half-mast. Karachi markets, transport and most schools are closed observing a day of mourning.
Taliban splinter group Jundullah, which claims links to Islamic State (IS), said its gunmen carried out the attack.

Officials have found pamphlets purported to be from IS from the site of the massacre. The Pakistani Taliban also said they were behind the attack.

Analysts say Pakistan's fragmented militant movements have previously competed to claim attacks.

Wednesday's massacre was the first such attack on the tiny Ismaili community in Pakistan.

About 60 people were on the bus when it was stopped in the Safoora Chowk area on its way to the Ayesha Manzil Ismaili centre, police said.

They said six gunmen on motorcycles fired indiscriminately at passengers. As well as those killed, at least 13 others were injured.