TTP faction claims responsibility for Rawalpindi blast

PESHAWAR: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA) has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack on an Imambargah in Rawalpindi on Friday night.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, TTP-JA spokesman, called journalists from an undisclosed location and then issued a statement to the media, saying they had planted an explosive device to attack the Imambargah.
He said followers of the Shia sect were their target and threatened to continue similar attacks.
APP adds from Rawalpindi: The funeral prayers of three Chittian Hatian imambargah blast victims was offered here on Saturday at Liaquat Bagh.
The funeral prayers were attended by thousands of people who raised slogans against terrorists and vowed to confront them whatever the consequences.
Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of martyred constable Amanullah, who embraced Shahadat in the Chittian Hatian bomb blast, was offered here in Police Lines No 1.
The funeral prayer was attended by Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Akhtar Umar Hayat Lalika, Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed and senior officers of Rawalpindi district.
The RPO on this occasion said that the institution would provide every possible support and assistance to the families of martyred policemen.
Our correspondent adds from Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced financial assistance for the families of deceased and injured of the blast in Rawalpindi.
According to a handout issued on Saturday, heirs of the deceased will be given financial assistance of Rs500,000 each while Rs75,000 rupees to each seriously injured and Rs25,000 to each minor injured persons will be paid by the Punjab government.
The chief minister said the tragic incident of Rawalpindi was highly condemnable and he equally shared the grief of aggrieved families.
Provincial Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and Commissioner Rawalpindi inquired after the injured persons at the hospital on behalf of the chief minister.
Meanwhile, an initial report regarding blast near Imambargah in Rawalpindi has been submitted to Shahbaz Sharif.