Quetta:
At least five people were killed and 29 others wounded in a powerful explosion near a public rally organized by Balochistan National Party (GDP) in Quetta on Tuesday.
According to reports, the explosion occurred near Shahwani Stadium after GDP-M’s collection held to observe the Sardar Attaullah Mengal’s 4th year of death.
Balochistan Minister of Health, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, confirmed the accident figures. “We have received five bodies and 29 wounded so far,” he said.
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According to police officers, the first reports indicate that the explosion targeted GDP chief Akhtar Mengal and his convoy, but Mengal remained unkind in the incident.
Law enforcement authorities and security forces were quickly closed the area after the explosion, while emergencies transported the wounded to the nearby hospital. The condition of several victims is reported to be critical.
In a speech with the media, GDP spokesman Sajid Tareen claimed that 13 party workers had been martyrated in the attack. “The moment Akhtar Mengal’s vehicle passed, a high explosion happened,” he said.
Investigators are working to determine the nature of the explosion and whether it was through an improvised explosion device (IED) or a suicide attack.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned severely attacked and called it a ‘Feig act of humanity’s enemies’. He added, “such terrorist acts are intended to destabilize the province and spread fear among innocent citizens.”
Bugti instructed the authorities to ensure that the wounded receive the best possible medical treatment and called for a high level of the incident. He also instructed law enforcement authorities to arrest those responsible, at the earliest.
A special investigation committee has been set up and is tasked with submitting a report as soon as possible. Security has been increased in and around Quetta in the wake of the explosion.
No group has so far assumed responsibility for the bombing.
