The Pakistani Taliban today claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 45 people in Karachi on Ashura December 28.

Threatening more such attacks, a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman told a foreign news agency over phone, “My group claims responsibility for the Karachi attack and we will carry out more such attacks, within 10 days,”

The spokesman Asmatullah Shaheen, who is one of the commanders of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Taliban Movement of Pakistan, spoke to a Reuters reporter based in Peshawar. Shaheen’s name appears on a government list of 20 most-wanted militants. “He (the suicide bomber) was our man; his name was Hasnain Muawia,” Shaheen told the reporter.

The high-profile bloodshed in Karachi had all the hallmarks of the Taliban, who often bomb crowded areas to inflict maximum casualties. The blast led some Pakistanis to conclude that several hands must have been involved.

The suicide attack was followed by organized arson and rampage of public and private properties, which resulted in an estimated loss of “Rs 30-35 billion”, with more than 3,000 shops in Bolton Market – Asia’s largest wholesale market, gutted in flames. Over 10,000 people have lost their jobs, Dawn reported.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs1 billion for the affected people of Karachi tragedy.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also pledged support for the Karachi victims. He is expected to pay a visit to the affected areas of the port city. (MAMOSA)