Thirteen dead, over dozen injured in Quetta bomb blast

QUETTA: At least thirteen people, including six policemen, were killed and over a dozen injured in a suspected suicide car bombing near the Inspector General (IG) police office at Gulistan road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, ARY News reported.

In light of initial investigation report, Civil Defense Director Aslam Tareen divulged that 75 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, which was said to be the result of a suicide bombing.

He said that forensic team has collected evidences from the blast site and found ball bearings besides various kinds of nuts and bolts used in the blast to attain maximum damage.

Police and rescue sources earlier confirmed that the blast near IG Police Office in Quetta, left five dead and 14 others injured on the spot. The injured shifted to Quetta’s Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

Later, eight more injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the hospital, increasing the death toll to thirteen.

Dr Fareed Ahmed, the hospital’s medical superintendent, feared that the death toll might increase as several other  injured were in precarious condition. The police surgeon at the hospital said four of the victims of the blast have been identified, which included two police personnel and a traffic sergeant.

Earlier today while speaking to media at the blast site, DIG Police Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema said explosive material was planted in a vehicle, which went off when police personnel intercepted the vehicle near the IG Police Office. The nature and intensity of the blast is being ascertained, he added.

He said he was not sure about the target of the attackers and added further investigation was underway.

Cheema said the law enforcement agencies were focusing on overall security situation in the city to prevent any such occurrence on Juma tul Wida which is being observed today.

Following the blast more security contingents arrived at the site and cordoned off  the area. A forensic team also reached the blast site and collected evidences.

According to reports, the car laden with explosives had registered number plate of Karachi. Spokesperson to Balochistan government Anwarul Haq Kakar said that it apparently seemed the police was the prime the target of the attackers.

Countrywide condemnations pour in

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the bombing on Quetta’s Gulistan road that left 13 dead and over a dozen injured on Friday morning.

The premier in a statement said terrorists were targeting innocent citizens in the holy month of Ramazan. “Such a cowardly attack is the reflection of the terrorists’ evil nature.”

PM Nawaz said the whole nation was united against terrorism and those involved in such brutal acts will be brought to justice. He  asked the provincial government to ensure proper medical treatment to those injured in the attack and prayed for the departed souls.

“Peace in the province has been ensured after countless sacrifices of our valiant security personnel. We will not allow the enemy to hinder the unprecedented progress and development underway in Balochistan,”  PM Nawaz said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the incident and expressed grief at the loss of lives while demanding a report from the provincial government over the incident.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri, Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, and former President Asif Ali Zardari, among others, condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.