January 2007 Dera Ismail Khan suicide bombing


On 29 January 2007, a suicide bomber blew himself up killing a policeman and a civilian and wounding 7 others in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The incident happened during month of Muharram on the day of Ashura, the holiest day of the year for Shi'ites.

Background

is the holiest day of the year for Shi'ites as it marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hussain, grandson of Muhammad. On the day of Ashura, Shi'ites observe mourning and in Pakistan, they are often targeted on this day.

Bombing

According to police officials, the bomber was a teenager who refused to be checked at a checkpost and instead be detonated himself. 7 people were injured while two, excluding the bomber, were killed.