At least four people were killed and 19 injured in a suicide attack in Quetta on Saturday. A Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle was the target of blast, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed. Two FC vehicles, three rickshaws and motorcycles were also damaged as result of the blast.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema said most of the victims were civilians and a child was among the dead, in what was apparently a suicide blast. The attacker, whose body parts have been recovered, was wearing suicide vest, confirmed Deputy Inspector General Abdur Razzaq Cheema.
The injured have been shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta, while those critically injured have been moved to Trauma Centre. The intensity of the blast rocked the entire Sariab road area, following which shopkeepers pulled down their shutters. Traffic was also suspended as a result of the blast. Police and personnel of FC cordoned off the area as investigation into the blast went underway.
Sariab road is considered to be one of the more sensitive areas of Quetta. Miscreants in the area have been targeting security forces, police and officials for more than a decade. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bhugti inspected the area and said that the security personnel are being punished for protecting the nation. Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri and Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai have condemned the attack.
Earlier, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Hamid Shakeel Durrani among three officers embraced martyrdom in a suicide blast in Quetta's Chaman Housing Scheme. The blast occurred when AIG Hamid was going to office from his house. Meanwhile two terrorists of banned organization were taken into custody during Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan operation in different parts of Balochistan on Friday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), FC Balochistan conducted operation in Dera Bugti, Uchh and Dera Murad Jamali and apprehended two terrorists of a banned outfit. FC Balochistan also seized hand grenades, mines, 46 kilograms of explosive material and other arms from the terrorists. The security forces also recovered an explosive-laden motorcycle during operation in Dera Murad Jamali.