Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility Thursday for a series of bombings a day earlier that left dozens dead , primarily Shiite Muslims gathering for a revered religious mourning period . At least 31 people were killed and 68 wounded in the blasts Wednesday that came amid heightened security over the Shiite observance , which has been targeted in recent years by extremists . Read more : Pakistani Taliban threaten India after execution of Mumbai attacker . The attacks also came as leaders of Muslim nations gathered in Islamabad for the Thursday start of an economic summit of the Developing 8 or D-8 . Of the blasts , the deadliest was in Rawalpindi where a suicide bomber joined a Shiite processional , police official Shahid Hussain said . At least 23 people were killed and 35 wounded in the explosion , he said . Pakistan Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan claimed responsibility for the attacks in Rawalpindi , Karachi and Shangla . In Karachi , at least two were killed and one wounded in a double-bombing that targeted a Shiite community center , a police official said . Read more : Read more : Who are the Pakistani Taliban ? In northern Pakistan 's Shangla , at least one person was killed and four wounded when a blast targeted a police vehicle , officials said . There was no immediate claim of responsibility for a blast in Quetta that also appeared to target Shiites . At least five people were killed and 28 wounded when a bomb detonated in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood , said Wazir Khan Nasar , a police official . Ihsan said the Pakistan Taliban targeted Shiites taking part in mourning observances because they believe it denigrates the Prophet Mohammed . The Taliban attacks came during the holy month of Muharram , which culminates Saturday with the height of the mourning period . The Shiite observance commemorates the death of the Prophet Mohammed 's grandson , who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD . The battle and subsequent death of Imam Hussein caused the split between Shiite and Sunni Muslims .
At least 31 people are killed in the blasts across Pakistan , police say . Police : The deadliest blast killed 23 people in Karachi . The attacks primarily target Shiites participating in religious observances . The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for three bombings .