14 pilgrims killed in way to Shiite holy city

A group of pilgrims from Pakistan and India were ambushed and killed on their way to the Shiite holy city of Karbala, police said today.

The pilgrims – 11 Pakistanis, including five women, two Indians and their Iraqi driver – were all shot yesterday as they headed to Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, in a minivan, said police.

They were ambushed by robbers who stole their belongings, Karbala police said. Their bodies were taken to the city’s morgue on Saturday. All had their hands and legs bound.

Shiite pilgrims are to observe Shaaban, a mid-month religious celebration, on September 9.