Death toll from Taliban attack on Pakistani Shiites jumps to 65 overnight

Toll from attack on Pakistani Shiites jumps to 65

QUETTA, Pakistan — Pakistani police say the death toll from a suicide attack on a Shiite Muslim procession rose from 43 to 65 overnight as critically wounded people died in hospital.

Police official Mohammed Sultan said Saturday that about 150 people were wounded and some remain critical after the attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban in the southwestern city of Quetta. A triple suicide attack Wednesday night killed 35 people at a Shiite ceremony in the eastern city of Lahore.

Police say leaders of the minority sect called a general strike in Quetta and all schools are closed for a day in mourning.

Pakistan’s weak civilian government is struggling to deal both with massive flooding and the incessant militant violence aimed at overthrowing the Western-backed administration.