ISLAMABAD, Pakistan.- In order to prevent further sectarian attacks, the Pakistani authorities launched this Friday a security operation on the occasion of Ashura, the main celebration of Shi’a Muslims, which total 20 per cent of the population.

Systematically, religious minorities in Pakistan such as Shia and Christians are targets for attacks by Sunni Islamic extremist groups, who reject any different religious views.

As part of the security measures this Friday, mobile telephony services were suspended in many cities of the country, including Karachi, Quetta, Lahore and Faisalabad.

The Ashura, which will be commemorated on Sunday this year, is the most important festivity for the Shia community, which recalls that day the death of Imam Hussein, son of Imam Ali and grandson of Prophet Muhammad during the Battle of Karbala in 680.