- President, PM and others condemn the blast
- 13 killed, seven injured in another blast at Chaman’s Mall Road
QUETTA/ISLAMABAD, April 12: At least 20 persons were killed and 48 others injured in the result of the suicide blast in Hazar Ganji vegetable and fruit market in Quetta on Friday morning. The condition of seven injured persons is critical. One FC personnel was also martyred and four others injured in the result of attack.
The attack claimed the lives of nine Hazara and one Frontier Corps (FC) soldier who was deputed for the community’s security,
said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema. The 10 others who lost their lives included shopkeepers, businessmen and citizens working or residing in the area.
“The attack took place in a [green grocer’s] shop. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted in a gunny sack filled with potatoes. Whether it was timed or remote-controlled, our experts will tell. Right now they are investigating,” DIG Cheema told reporters at the site of the attack.
“We are giving our attention to the wounded at this time,” he said. The injured have been shifted to hospitals ? where an emergency has been imposed ? for treatment.
“We have arranged transportation back [home] for Hazaras who remained unhurt in the attack,” he added.
Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, who held a press conference later in the day, said that the blast was not targeting “a specific community”.
“Our guess is that no specific community was targeted. Marri Baloch and FC personnel were among those killed as well. The numbers of the Hazara community were just greater,” Langove said. He also described the blast as a suicide attack.
Rescue workers say the number of injuries could rise. They have been taken to the Bolan Medical Complex Hospital and Civil Hospital. An emergency has been declared at both hospitals.
“I was loading a small truck and I heard a huge bang and it seemed as if the earth beneath me had shaken and I fell down,” said Irfan Khan, a labourer, from his hospital bed.
Security forces cordoned the area after the blast and started the search operation in the area. Meanwhile after the blast the Hazara community staged a protest on the Western Bypass.
Meanwhile President Dr. Arif Alvi condemning the Quetta bomb blast in the strongest words expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident.
In a statement in Islamabad on Friday, he said such acts of terror further strengthen the nation’s resolve to eradicate the remnants of terrorists.
Deploring the loss of precious lives in the despicable incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured. He also sought inquiry report into the incident.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan has directed law enforcement agencies to further strengthened security arrangements across the province including Quetta.
In a statement, he directed Inspector General Police Balochistan to protect lives and properties of people.
In a statement, condemning the Quetta blast Information Minister Chaudhry
Meanwhile, at least 13 people were killed and seven others wounded in an explosion on Mall Road in Balochistan’ Chaman city. Security forces immediately rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.
According to police, the explosive material was planted in a motorcycle. Numerous vehicles were partially destroyed in the incident.-Sabah/Agencies
