Sunni-Shi’ite Jihad Update from AP, :
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Police in the Afghan capital defused two bombs Tuesday near a Shiite shrine where tens of thousands of people had gathered for a religious festival, the country’s anti-terrorism chief said.
The bombs were discovered hidden near the Sakhi shrine, the second most important Shiite place of worship in Afghanistan, Gen. Abdul Manan Farahi told The Associated Press.
Police defused the bombs and removed them, he said. The festival carried on without interruption as police patrolled the area on horses, in cars and on foot.
Tens of thousands of men, women and children gathered at the shrine before dawn to celebrate Nowruz, an ancient Persian festival marking the first day of spring.
Though predominantly a Shiite festival, Nowruz also marks the new year in Afghanistan and is celebrated by Sunnis.