Pakistan has deployed army troops in the southern city of Karachi, where mobs of youths have rioted to protest a suicide bombing that killed at least 57 people, including three religious leaders.
Military officials say soldiers were deployed Thursday, to prevent further violence. Thousands of people are expected to attend funerals for the three influential Sunni Muslim leaders.
Mobs of youths have been rioting in Karachi since Tuesday's suicide bombing that also wounded about 100 people.
Two bombers detonated explosives as thousands of followers were taking part in a mass prayer celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf condemned the attack and ordered increased security at religious sites.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing.
Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao tells VOA there will be an exhaustive investigation into what he calls a gruesome crime.
Karachi has often been the scene of sectarian violence between Pakistan's dominant Sunni and minority Shi'ite Muslims.
