HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Said Al-Hakim At-Tabatabai, one of four grand maraje of Holy Najaf, has strongly condemned aggression against Arbaeen al-Husseini pilgrims at the hands of terrorists.

In a statement issued from his Holy Najaf office, the Ayatullah demanded from the government and the ministry of defense to take bold measures to curb the aggressors and to launch an investigation against those officials responsible for security of innocent citizens.

He prayed that may the martyrs join Sayyeda Shababi Ahl-il Jannah Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p), and for the early recovery of the wounded.

According to reports, scores of Husseini pilgrims returning from Arbaeen commemoration in Holy Karbala were martyred in separate incidents in Baghdad at the hands of terrorists.

Gunmen in Baghdad sprayed automatic fire at a truck and a bus loaded with mourners returning from Arbaeen commemoration in Holy Karbala, leaving three martyred and wounding 42.

Several hours later, police found the bodies of 13 black mourning-dressed pilgrims, who had been shot to death and dumped in a nearby west Baghdad area, an interior ministry official said.

On Thursday March 23, thousands attended the funeral of the martyred mourning pilgrims condemning the attacks.