Sirajul Haq escapes suicide attack in Balochistan’s Zhob

ZHOB: At least six people were injured on Friday when a suspected suicide bomber attacked Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq’s convoy in Balochistan’s Zhob, ARY News reported quoting police.

JI chief remained unhurt in the attack, said police.

In a tweet, the party said that Sirajul Haq was safe and that the attacker had been killed. “Sirajul Haq was present in the area to address a gathering,” the party said.

امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر ژوب بلوچستان میں خود کش حملہ، حملہ آور مارا گیا۔
الحمدللہ سراج الحق محفوظ ہیں۔ جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے ژوب میں موجود تھے

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023

Meanwhile, JI spokesperson Qaiser Sharif said a few vehicles had also been damaged in the attack.

He said that the party chief had reached Quetta earlier today to address a rally in Zhob, adding that a large number of people had gathered to welcome Haq as he entered Zhob.

“The suicide attacker was also part of the crowd,’ he added.

Upon getting information, a contingent of security forces also reached the area and cordoned it off to collect evidence.

Moreover, Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Condemnations poured in after the suicide attack on the JI Ameer.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack on Sirajul Haq’s convoy and ordered the Balochistan government to hold an investigation into all aspects and bring the responsible persons to justice.

He also prayed for early recovery of the wounded persons and directed concerned officials to provide the best medical facilities to the victims.

ژوب میں امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر خودکش حملے کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہوں۔ قیمتی جانوں کے ضیاع پردل رنجیدہ ہے۔ میں نے بلوچستان حکومت کو ہدایت کی ہے کہ وہ حملے کی تمام زاویوں سے تحقیقات کرے اور اس خوفناک حملے میں ملوث کرداروں کو انصاف کے کٹہرے میں لایا جائے۔ اللّہ پاک…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 19, 2023

The speaker and the deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) also condemned the suicide attack and prayed for the early recovery of the wounded persons.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the suicide attack and demanded the immediate arrest of the planners behind the suicide attack.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Millat-e-Jafaria chief Sajid Naqvi, Punjab Governor and Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the suicide attack.

Balochistan CM Abdul Quddus Bizenjo strongly condemned the attack and said that terrorists spread violence for their ulterior motives but the authorities will not let them succeed in their plans.

The Balochistan CM’s spokesperson Babar Yousafzai said that he contacted Sirajul Haq and he is safe. “Emergency has been imposed in hospitals and foolproof security will be provided to the JI Ameer. We have not received any threat alert before the incident.”