QUETTA:
At least four people, including two police personnel, were martyred in an explosion in the Kandahari Bazaar area of Quetta on Monday, confirmed police sources.
The explosion also injured nine people, said Waseem Baig, the spokesperson at Quetta’s Civil Hospital. The blast occurred as a police vehicle was crossing through a lane in the busy market area.
Soon after the explosion, security forces cordoned off the area and rescue services shifted the casualties to nearby medical facilities. The cause of the blast is being investigated.
Security forces have been routinely targetted in the province.
Last month, nine policemen were martyred and 13 others injured in a powerful blast in Balochistan’s Bolan district.
The policemen were returning from the Sibi festival after performing their duties, when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden motorcycle into the police van, damaging it severely. The blast was heard far and wide.
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Balochistan Health Department official Dr. Wasim Baig said that the bodies of the four martyred —identified as Maseem Abbasi, Muhammad Shuaib, Hikmatullah and Kulsoom, daughter of Hameedullah — were brought to the Civil Hospital for medico-legal formalities.
He said that injured victims including Dilbar Khan, Nisar, Muhammad Ramzan, Lal Muhammad, Naseebullah, Jan Muhammad, Haris, Mir Gull, and Khalid were also brought to the Civil Hospital for treatment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo strongly condemned the blast in Quetta.
The prime minister condoled with the bereaved families, praying for the elevation of ranks of the martyred and for early recovery of those who were injured in the attack. He directed officials to provide all possible medical facilities to the injured.
The premier also sought a report on the terrorist attack from authorities, vowing that the nefarious designs of the terrorists would be foiled.
Provincial chief minister Bizenjo also expressed his grief over the loss of lives.
The chief minister sought a report from the Inspector General (IG) of Police on the terrorist attack and security measures in the city.
He said that those who shed the blood of innocent people in the holy month of Ramazan did not deserve to be called human beings.
The CM directed the concerned department that action should be taken against terrorist elements and their patrons. The security measures in the city should be made more effective in order to ensure the protection of public lives and their properties, he said.
He expressed his condolence and sympathy to the families of the martyrs. The CM directed that the best treatment facilities should be provided to the injured by imposing an emergency in the hospitals.
