DHAKA: At least 23 people have been killed and a number injured in a gun and bomb attack on Shia pilgrims in south-western Pakistan, officials say.

They say the gunmen targeted hotels in the town of Taftan, Balochistan province, where the pilgrims were staying after returning from Iran.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Recent years have witnessed a series of bloody attacks by Sunni militants on Pakistan's Shia community.

In January, at least 29 Shia pilgrims died in a bus bomb explosion in Balochistan.

On New Year's Day, at least three people were killed when a suspected suicide bomber attacked a bus near the provincial capital, Quetta.

Thousands of Pakistanis have been taking part in sit-ins across the country protest against the violence.

Source: BBC

BDST: 0923 HRS, JUN 09, 2014