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19 killed in Islamabad explosion

Pakistan - Blast at Islamabad shrine
Pakistan - Blast at Islamabad shrine

At least 19 people have been killed and many more wounded by a suspected suicide bombing at a Muslim shrine in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Thousands of worshippers had gathered to pay homage to the city's patron saint.

The blast occurred at the Bari Imam shrine, which is close to Pakistan's main government buildings and the diplomatic enclave, where many embassies and diplomatic residences are located.

Thousands of devotees from the majority Sunni Muslim and minority Shi'ite Muslim sects were attending a festival at the time of the explosion.