Quetta: At least six people were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a parade by Shiite Muslims observing their holiest day in Southwest Pakistan today (Mar 2, 2004), witnesses and hospitals said.

Shots were fired into a procession by thousands of Shiites marking the holy day of Ashura in the busy Meezan Chowk area of Central Quetta, the capital of Southwest Baluchistan province, at around 13.40 hrs (14.10 hrs IST).

Ashura, which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Muslim saint Imam Hussein in 680 AD, is observed by Shiite Muslims with mourning parades and frenzied displays of self-flagellation.

The attack is the second against Quetta's Shiite Muslim community in less than a year. Last July, 48 Shiite worshippers were gunned down as they prayed at a city mosque.