SEHWAN, Pakistan -- Pakistani officials said security forces have killed at least 39 suspected militants in countrywide operations following a massive bombing claimed by the Islamic State group killed 75 worshipers at a famed Sufi shrine in a southern province.
Security officials said the overnight raids also led to the arrest of 47 suspects, including some in Sindh province where the attack on the shrine happened Thursday, February 16.
They said the raids targeted militant hideouts and led to shootouts with insurgents. Across Pakistan, at least 39 suspected militants were killed.
The terror attack — the country's deadliest in years — stunned the nation and raised questions about the authorities' ability to rein in militant groups despite several military offensives targeting insurgents.
A suicide bomber walked into the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, in southern Sindh province, and detonated his explosives among a crowd of worshipers on Thursday, killing 75. Scores were also wounded in the explosion.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday because they were not authorized to talk to reporters about the security operations. (AP)
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