A motorcycle bomb blast went off on Sunday (8th August) at Hali Road roundabout, near Zarghoon Road which ended up killing 2 policemen along with injuring 12 cops and 21 others.
Liaquat Shahwani, Provincial Government spokesperson, said that a Police van was targeted and the bomb was planted in a motorcycle. Shahwani said that an emergency situation has been declared in Quetta due to the blast. He added, that the terrorists only want to dismantle the law and order of Balochistan.
According to Azhar Ikram, Deputy Inspector General Quetta, the injured have been moved to the Civil Hospital of the city. He added that the windows of nearby buildings were shattered due to the explosion. He said that according to the initial investigation, the blast was caused by a time bomb.
“The police officers were on duty when the explosion occurred, and two of them were martyred,” he said. “In the meantime, the injured are being treated in a top-notch hospital, but three of them are in severe condition.” The forces were on high alert as the Police had already received a threat.
The event was also criticized by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is visiting Quetta.
Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, also condemned the incident and extended condolences to the family of policemen who got martyred. He said that terrorists only want to destroy the law and order of Balochistan. He added that the sacrifices of the security forces will not go in vain.
Fawad also responded to Bilawal, claiming that the Indian government, led by Narendra Modi, is funding terrorism in Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly also condemned the attack in Quetta.
Minister of Interior Sheikh Rasheed condemned the act and instructed the police to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to him. He expressed his sympathies to the families of the fallen cops and wished the injured a swift recovery. He said that such cowardly acts cannot dishearten our forces.
