In the Mastung district of Quetta, Balochistan, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a Frontier Constabulary (FC) checkpoint, killing at least 4 and injuring more than 20 people. However, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who took the responsibility for the attack, claimed that more than 25 individuals had been killed in the blast.
According to a senior police officer, Azhar Akram, the suicide bomber was on a motorcycle loaded with 6 kg of explosives and had rammed straight into one of the military vehicles.
The injured were all shifted to Sheikh Zayed hospital nearby while the police forces surrounded the area to determine the intensity of the blast.
Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack, stating that he saluted the security forces for sacrificing their lives to keep the nation safe and would be praying for the recovery of the injured.
The leader of the opposition, Shehbaz Sharif was also “grieved to learn about the martyrdom of 3 FC personnel” in the attack. In a tweet, he paid homage to all the armed forces for their constant sacrifices.
Side by side, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, also condemned the attack.
The Balochistan CTD (counter-terrorism department) spokesperson stated that personnel from the CTD had arrived at the scene immediately in order to fully investigate the incident. Soon afterward, the bomb disposal squad reached the spot as well to inspect the area and gather all evidence required to carry out an efficient inquiry.
Attacks in Balochistan seem to be increasing; just last month a suicide attack had taken place near a vehicle carrying Chinese engineers and workers, wounding a Chinese national and killing two Pakistani children alongside as well. The attack had occurred near the port city of Gwadar and had been allegedly carried out to harm Pak-China relations.
Last month, another attack had occurred as well, during which suspected separatists had thrown a hand grenade into a store in Quetta, apparently because the national flag was being sold there. One man was killed during this attack while four were wounded, who had been buying the flag in order to celebrate Pakistan’s independence day.
