Quetta:
At least 11 people, including two paramilitary soldiers, were martyrated on Tuesday when a suicide bomb jumped through the Pishin Stop area near Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Quetta, triggering a gun battle where security forces killed six terrorists, officials said.
The blasting took place when security forces launched an intelligence-based operation (IBO) against Fitna Al-Hindustan in the Zehri area of the Khuzdar district, killed seven Indian-proxy terrorists and injured at least 10 others, according to sources.
Security officials said the terrorists were trying to storm the FC headquarters in Balochistan the capital. One of them detonated near a checkpoint. In the subsequent exchange of fire, security forces killed six terrorists and received a large cache of weapons and ammunition.
“The suicide bomber who was running in a Suzuki -van trolley detonated the device while [at least] Five of his accomplices tried to get into the connection afterwards, “a senior official told the local government official.” In the exchange of fire, all attackers were killed, “the official said.
“Their [security forces’] Timely response averted a larger tragedy, “said another official.” A large cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists, ”he added. Officials revealed that Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) confirmed that 30 to 40 kg of explosives were used in the explosion.
CCTV images that were shared with the media showed an open wagon that turned into the entrance to the FC headquarters before the explosion. Eyewitnesses described the explosion as “so intense” that it was heard all over the city, causing panic among the residents like fire and smoke wavy from the scene.
Rescue officials said a local passenger bus was among the goals, affected by the suicide bombing, leaving commuters and nearby pedestrians seriously wounded. In addition to the 11 fatalities, almost three dozen suffered other injuries, according to Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar.
Many of the wounded were moved to Civil Hospital Quetta, where more people remain in critical condition, according to medicine. Kakar said that an emergency had been declared in all hospitals all over the city to ensure rapid medical treatment of the wounded.
The explosion caused significant damage to buildings nearby, crushed windows and doors. Security forces were cut off from the area shortly after the incident and launched a thorough study. So far, no group has assumed responsibility for the attack.
Separately, according to sources, security forces performed an operation after intelligence reports on growing terrorist activity by Fitna al-Hindustan in the Zehri area of Khuzdar. So far, seven terrorists have been killed and 10 others wounded as a result of the operation, they said.
During IBO, the sources continued, forces defused also an improvised explosion device (IED) planted by the terrorists on the main bridge in Badokasht. The forces also restored ready for use, IEDs, transmitters, US -made automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and motorcycles, they added.
The Indian-Proxy terrorist attack in Quetta was widely condemned by national leadership as well as international partners. President Asif Zardari, who is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned heavily attacked.
In their separate messages, they emphasized that such feige attacks could not weaken the national decision to eradicate the threat of terrorism from the country. They also praised the timely action of the security forces and killed the Indian-Proxy terrorists.
President Zardari accused the Indian-Proxy Fitna al-Khawarij for the attack. “The growing frustration of anti-Pakistani forces is a reflection of their failure and inevitable downfall,” Zardari noted, confirming the nation’s willingness to prevent India-backed design.
Acting President Gilani also condemned the bombing and called it a “brutal and feiging act” and a direct attack on the country’s peace. He warned that terrorists, facilitators and “so -called Khawarij,” especially those supported by India would face a humiliating end.
Prime Minister Shehbaz paid tribute to security forces for killing terrorists in Fitna al-Hindustan. “The government, security forces and the entire nation are determined to eradicate terrorism and Fitna al-Hindustan from the country,” he claimed.
By condemning the incident, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti promised justice to the victims. He said the people of Balochistan, along with the government and security forces, were united against terrorists who are aimed at civilians on the directives of their ‘masters’.
The attack also drew sharp condemnation from the international community. The United States expanded compassion for the victims’ families and wanted the wounded a rapid recovery. “We are in solidarity with Pakistan in his fight against terrorism,” the US statement and pledged continued support for peace and stability in Balochistan and across the country.
The Russian Embassy also condemned the incident and called for the need to fight terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations.” In a statement, it expressed hope that they would be identified behind the attack and brought to justice, while they conveyed compassion and desires for improvement to the wounded.
(With input from our Islamabad -Criente Khalid Mehmood & Agencies)
