HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Security has been increased as hundreds of thousands of mourning devotees continue converging in the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen that falls on Thursday March 31 while Iraqi officials said soldiers backed by US helicopters killed several suspected terrorists and seized 131 more in a dawn raid Saturday, capturing tons of explosives earmarked for attacks on this holy city prior to Arbaeen.

The detained suspected terrorists include foreign Arabs, Pakistanis and Afghans.

A defense ministry source said the suspects were arrested during a raid in Jurf As-Sakhr, a village about 60 kilometers (36 miles) south of Baghdad, in the so-called triangle of death.

The raids fell just five days before the Arbaeen, 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (A), grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad (S).

“We found explosive devices and materials, booby-trapped cars and compact discs showing beheadings,” said the source.

He said preliminary interrogations had revealed that the suspects had a list of clerics targeted for assassination in the mid-Euphrates region, which includes holy cities of Karbala and Najaf.

The source said, “Some of them were tasked with attacking pilgrims with small arms fire and roadside bombs and even poisoning their food.”

A procession marching to Karbala for the Arbaeen was hit on Friday by three suicide bombings that martyred two Husseini mourners and wounded over two dozen.

On Saturday, holy city of Najaf witnessed departure of Husseini processions to holy Karbala on foot for Arbaeen commemoration. The mourners have black banners and replicas of Imam Hussein (A) with them signifying sufferings of Ahlul Bayt (A).

This year, this million march has drawn heavy participation of men, women and children who prior to their departure to Holy Karbala performed Zeyarah of Imam Ali (A) in Holy Najaf.

“What we are doing is a duty to show that we are grateful to the huge sacrifices (of Imam Hussein (A)),” said Khalid Al-Jashaami, a 32-year-old lawyer.

Throughout the route to holy Karbala, resting tents, refreshment stands and medical camps have been set up to facilitate the Husseini mourners providing them hot and cold drinks and meals.

Najaf Police Chief Ghalib Al-Jazaieri said police and national guardsmen were deployed and checkpoints set up along the road, with some agents disguised as civilians in an effort to avoid attacks against the religious faithful.

Police were on high alert in Holy Karbala.

From Sunday, all cars are banned in Karbala, said Police General Abbas Faden Al-Hussein. Police have already set up checkpoints at the main entrances to the holy city.               

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