'Saudi Arabia stands with Pakistan against all forms of terrorism'

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has condemned Friday’s blast in Quetta which claimed several lives and left many others injured.

In a statement, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan said Saudi Arabia stood with Pakistan against all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism.

“Saudi Arabia also shares grief with the government and people of Pakistan and prays for early recovery of those injured in the incident,” the statement added.

At least 20 people, security personnel and children among them, were killed and 48 others wounded in a suicide attack at the Hazarganji fruit and vegetable market in Quetta on Friday morning.

The deceased included eight members of the Hazara community and soldier of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC).

Speaking to the media after the attack, Balochistan Home Minister Zia Langove had said the vegetable vendors belonging to the ethnic Haraza community were the target. “A suicide bomber detonated his explosive laded vest inside the vegetable marker,” he said.

Smoke cloaked the market as body parts littered the scene after the blast.