Armed forces personnel among 15 martyred in blast at Quetta's Pishin bus stop

QUETTA: At least 15 people embraced martyrdom while 25 others were injured as a blast targeting an army truck rocked Pishin stop area of Balochistan province’s Quetta city, ARY News reported on Saturday.

The blast occurred near a hospital at Pishin bus stop, meters away from Frontier Corps Headquarters.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that at least 15 people including eight security forces’ personnel embraced martyrdom while 25 others were injured in the blast in which a security forces’ vehicle was targeted.

ISPR added that eight out of the martyred were forces’ personnel.

Interior Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti told ARY News that it was a huge blast but he cannot say anything about the nature of blast. He added that a rescue operation was still underway.

The blast was so huge that all the cars parked in the area caught fire.

Police and rescue officials soon reached the spot and have started rescue work and at least 15 injured were moved to Quetta’s Civil Hospital.

According to ARY News Quetta correspondent Mustafa Tareen, five of the injured victims are said to be in critical condition.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but anti-state militants have attacked Quetta city in the past.

Condemnations pour in

President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif , Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Minister Balochistan Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa have strongly condemned the bomb blast in Quetta.

COAS condemns terrorist attack on Army truck in Quetta, an attempt to mar Indep Day festivity. Our resolve won’t succumb to any challenge.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 12, 2017

Strongly condemn terrorist attack in Quetta. Our resolve gets stronger with every such incident to win the war against terrorism.

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) August 12, 2017

Saddened by loss of life in Quetta terror attack. Thoughts & prayers with victim families. Quetta bleeds again.

— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) August 12, 2017

Condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly attack in Quetta. 4 years on still no implementation of NAP.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 12, 2017

#Quetta 💔 – Prayers, condolences and thoughts with victims and affectees.

— Saman Jafriسمن جعفری (@SsamanJay) August 12, 2017

Strongly condemn the terror blast in Quetta. Prayers for the victims

— Sumeta Syed (@SumetaSyed) August 12, 2017

Heartfelt condolences to those martyred in the blast today. We are all united against terrorism. Pakistan bleeds today.#Quettablast

— Maiza Hameed (@MaizaHameed) August 12, 2017

#Quetta is bleeding again. Terrorism is still the main threat to Pakistan and its citizens. These are our martyrs. Don’t forget them

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) August 12, 2017