March 19: School bombed in Lakki Marwat
The Government Middle School for Boys in Tatterkhel village was bombed with explosives planted on the premises. The blast destroyed the structure of the building. Following the incident, local police officials reached the spot and gathered evidence. (The News)
March 23: 13 killed in Landikotal mosque bombing
A suicide attack at a mosque in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency killed 13 people, including eight militants associated with banned Lashkar-e-Islam (LI). According to the sources, an explosion occurred when a suicide bomber was trying to attack the Dars Jumaat of the LI in Akakhel area of Tirah, while other sources claim the incident occurred due to a bomb explosion near the mosque. It was reported that a militant was planting a remote-controlled device in the premises of the mosque when LI men spotted him. They opened fire on the rival militant, killing him as he was trying to escape. In the meantime, he succeeded in detonating the explosive material.
Muhammed Afridi, a Pakistani Taliban spokesman in Khyber, has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Daily Times)
March 24: Shia lawyer gunned down in Karachi
Former president of the Malir Bar, Salahuddin Haider Jafri and his son Ali Raza were killed in an ambush. Salahuddin left home for work with his son when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle near Azadi Chowk in Landhi, leaving them injured. Both succumbed to their wounds on way to the hospital. Police said the victims belonged to the Shia community and termed the incident a targeted killing. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. In reaction, lawyers announced a boycott of court proceedings and demanded an immediate arrest of the culprits. The Shia Ulema Council also condemned the killing and announced three days of mourning. (Pakistan Today)
March 24: Religious scholar killed in Quetta
A young religious scholar was shot dead by unknown assailants on the busy Kasi Road in Quetta. Qari Abdul Basit, the son of renowned religious scholar Maulvi Abdul Samad, was on his way to the mosque from his residence when armed men on a motorbike opened fire, killing him instantly and fled the scene.
Outraged protesters burnt tyres on Kasi Road in reaction to the killing, blocking the road for most vehicular traffic. Shops on Kasi Road and adjacent areas remained closed due to the protest. President Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (Quetta) Hafiz Hamdullah condemned the incident and informed that over 10 religious scholars belonging to the Sunni sect had been killed in the last few months in Quetta alone. (Express Tribune)