2015 Karachi bus shooting

2015 Karachi bus shooting
Location	Safoora Goth, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Date	13 May 2015
Target	Ismaili community
Attack type	Shooting
Deaths	45+
Injured	Dozens
Perpetrators	Jundallah (claimed) ISIL (claimed) Research and Analysis Wing (Pakistani claim; denied by India)

On May 13, 2015, eight gunmen attacked a bus traveling in Safoora Goth, Karachi in Pakistan. The shooting left at least 46 people dead. All of the victims were of the Ismaili Shia Muslim minority, suggesting the attack was a targeted killing of sectarian nature.

The banned militant group Jundallah claimed responsibility for the shooting. The gunmen hailed from Afghanistan. Pamphlets supporting ISIL, with whom Jundallah claims allegiance, were also found at the crime scene. However, the Pakistani government ruled out the connection of ISIL in the attack, stating that the group does not have a physical presence in the country. Numerous Pakistani government and media reports have also claimed the backing of a foreign hand, mainly India's Research and Analysis Wing, behind the attack. India has denied the allegations.

Background

See also: Sectarianism in Pakistan

Attacks on the Shia Muslim community have occurred frequently over the past two years in Pakistan, with many of the attacks claimed by outlawed extremist militant groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban, Jundallah and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who view Shia Muslims as heretics. A number of analysts trace the origins of sectarian violence in the country back to the Soviet war in neighbouring Afghanistan, during which armed fundamentalist groups surfaced in the region.

Shooting

The passengers were all residents of Al Azhar Gardens who regularly used the bus service for transport to work, school or other places. A total of six gunmen (including two disguised in police uniform) on three motorcycles stopped the bus shortly after its departure from the Safoora Chowrangi area of Karachi. The gunmen boarded the bus and opened fire, killing 45 passengers including 16 women. The majority of passengers belonged to the Ismaili community, a branch of Shia Muslims who follow the Aga Khan. Ismailis tend to be a peaceful, progressive and largely non-political community in Pakistan, with notable contributions to the country's education and health sectors. All the victims were shot in the head. Some passengers survived and were in critical condition when shifted to the hospital. According to some community members, the bus conductor, who was also hit in the head and injured, survived and drove the bus to the nearest Memon Hospital. However, others claimed he alerted another community member, who drove the bus.

Perpetrators

Jundallah

Jundallah, a banned Sunni splinter militant group associated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the shooting, and vowed to carry out more attacks on Shia Muslim minorities. Jundallah, which in 2014 vowed allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, left pro-ISIL propaganda leaflets near the scene. The leaflets contained graphic language, describing the attacks as retaliation for "barbaric atrocities" in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, blaming Shi'ites, and declaring the attack as a response to extrajudicial operations by local law enforcement agencies. It was the first major attack in Pakistan in which pro-ISIS elements have been implicated. However, the Pakistani Foreign Office ruled out the involvement of ISIL, stating "The terror outfit has no footprints in Pakistan but our security forces are alert to meet any threat". The gunmen who carried out the shooting hailed from Afghanistan, and reportedly ran a small hotel business in Karachi.

Allegations of RAW involvement

There have been allegations among Pakistani media and government sources of the involvement of Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the attack. These allegations followed statements earlier in the month by the Pakistani military leveled against RAW for "whipping up terrorism in Pakistan." A day after the attack, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry stated that the Indian intelligence agency was creating unrest in Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would consider taking up the issue on international forums if RAW's involvement was found in the shooting. Chaudhry noted the recent arrest of two suspects in Karachi involved in terrorism who had received training from RAW, adding that Pakistan had taken up the issue of state terrorism with India "a number of times" through diplomatic channels.

RAW has been blamed by Pakistani authorities in the past, especially for its alleged involvement in the insurgency in Balochistan, via intelligence networks in neighboring Afghanistan. A Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman added that Pakistan had asked Kabul not to allow RAW "to use the Afghan soil against us." According to Pakistan Today, initial investigations briefed to the Chief of Army Staff included the "strong possibility" of RAW involvement. Another Pakistani channel, Dunya reported intelligence agencies were working on evidence regarding RAW's involvement.

According to one official source, early investigations were pointing to the possible involvement of Baloch militants with RAW backing. The official disclosed that the federal government would organize a press conference to discuss evidence of RAW's involvement in terrorism. The conference will be chaired by the Prime Minister and will be attended by top civilian, military and intelligence leaders. During the conference, evidence linked to RAW's alleged involvement in terrorism in Karachi and Balochistan will be reviewed and the government will make a decision on countering RAW's activities, as well as raising the issue internationally. India's Home Minister Rajnath Singh dismissed the reports as "baseless allegations". During his visit to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Rawalpindi, General Raheel Sharif met the ISI director-general Lt. Gen Rizwan Akhtar, during which both officials discussed RAW's involvement. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations statement, Sharif emphasised the need for "more proactive and coordinated role of intelligence agencies for an effective counterterrorism campaign and to counter hostile agencies’ moves to destabilise Pakistan."

Reaction

Domestic

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and leaders of major political parties strongly condemned the shooting. The Prime Minister declared the following day a national day of mourning during which the flag will fly at half-mast. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif canceled his three day visit to Sri Lanka and went to Karachi to assess the situation. General Sharif also telephoned Prince Aga Khan, leader of the Ismaili community, during which he expressed his condolences, stating: "Our heart goes out for the bereaved families. No efforts will be spared to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of this terrorist act and their abettors." The attack was also condemned by other notable public figures.

Aga Khan IV, the Spiritual Leader of the Ismaili Muslims, expressed his "shock and sadness" and said that it represented a "senseless act of violence against a peaceful community".

International

• European Union: Spokesperson in a press release condemned the shooting and expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the shooting and expressed condolence saying "the attack in Karachi is deeply saddening and utterly condemnable. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased. We stand firmly with the people of Pakistan in this hour of grief. I wish all those injured a quick recovery."
• Iran: Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham condemned the shooting saying "the objective of such terrorist attacks is to undermine unity in Pakistan." and expressed confidence that the people and government of Pakistan would safeguard stability and security in Pakistan.
• Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press statement condemning the shooting, expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims saying "We share the grief of the friendly and brotherly people of Pakistan and express once again our strong feelings of solidarity with the Government of Pakistan."
• United States: Embassy of the United States in Pakistan issued a press release to condemn the shooting. United States ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson was quoted as saying "The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to the people of Pakistan in their efforts to counter terrorism. We support Pakistan’s efforts to bring all those involved to justice and stand ready to provide any appropriate assistance to authorities investigating this tragic attack."

See also

• National Action Plan (Pakistan)
• Sectarianism in Pakistan
• Shia Islam in Pakistan
• Targeted killings in Pakistan
• Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2015