Kufa shrine bomb kills 12 Pilgrims
Pakistan Times Wire Service

BAGHDAD: A suicide car bomb targeting Iranian pilgrims struck near a Shiite shrine in the holy city of Kufa on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 51, police said.

The bomb exploded about 7:15 a.m. near the shrine of Maitham al-Tamar and yards from the Kufa mosque. Twelve people were killed and 37 wounded, including several Iranian pilgrims visiting the holy area, police said.

Police at the scene said the suicide attacker was driving a minivan behind two big buses carrying Iranian pilgrims. The explosion apparently occurred as the pilgrims were getting off the bus near the shrine of Maitham al-Tamar.

The buses were destroyed and a wall of the shrine was damaged.

At least five Iranians were among those killed while 22 Iranians were also injured in the blast.●