Karbala governor says we have information about Thursday blast

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Karbala governor on Friday said that local authorities have information about the involvement of some bodies in the explosion that took place yesterday in the Shiite holy city of Karbala. “We have secret information about the involvement of some bodies in the explosion that took place on Thursday (Feb. 13),” Aqeel al-Khazaali said at a press conference. An official local source had said nearly 125,000 Arab and foreign pilgrims have arrived in Karbala for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, scheduled for Monday. The Arbaeen marks the 40th day after the death of Imam al-Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and the third holiest figure for Shiite Muslims, in the battle of Taf in Karbala in the Hegira year 61 (680 in the Gregorian calendar). Scores of pilgrims from inside and outside Iraq have started the long trek on foot for the pilgrimage. Tight security measures have been in force and a large number of security personnel have been deployed in Iraq’s holy sites in preparation for the occasion. Karbala, said to be housing the tombs of Imam al-Hussein and his brother Imam al-Abbas, lies 130 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. SH (S) 1