One person was killed and another 10 were injured when an explosion hit the convoy of the MPA Ali Madad Jattak of PPP in Quetta on Wednesday, but the legislator was not damaged.
Sariab Police Superintendent (DSP) Asif Ghafoor said Dawn.com: “The convoy of the deputy of PPP Ali Madad Jatak was attacked with hand grenades and shot by Sariab Road in Quetta. The incident took place near Munir Mengal Chowk. Ali Madad Jatak was unharmed in the attack, but his vehicle was partially damaged.”
He said that five people were injured in the incident, who were immediately transferred to Bolan Medical Complex and the Civil Hospital.
Ghafoor said a strong police contingent arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area to launch an investigation that was underway.
He said Jatak headed towards a meeting place together with his convoy to attend a demonstration of victory.
However, a statement issued by the Baluchistan Health Department said 11 injured were taken to the Civil Hospital’s accident and trauma center.
He added that after receiving initial medical help, the injured were transferred to the trauma center for additional treatment, while a person died during treatment.
Baluchistan’s prime minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack, saying that attacks against public leadership were attacks against the peace of the province.
Bugti said that such cowardly acts could not shake the collective will of the nation, and added that strict and fruitful measures would be taken against those hostile to peace.
He said that the elements that interrupt peace would be exposed, and the people and the elected representatives deserved complete protection.
“The hostile elements to the State will become an example of”.
The Baluchistan government also condemned the attack and sought a report.
Baluchistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said the attack was a cowardly act, added that attacks against elected representatives were equivalent to an attack against the democratic system.
He said the attackers would be taken before justice.
“The suppression of active elements against law and order is inevitable. The government is using all resources to protect people and representatives, such actions cannot weaken our resolution,” he said.
The president of PPP, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, strongly condemned the attack.
He described the attempt to attack as a “cowardly and shameless act of terrorism”, stating that such desperate attempts would not shake the resolution of the party.
Bilawal expressed his hope that the terrorists involved in attacking the convoy soon were taken before justice. He also prayed for the rapid recovery of the injured in the incident and emphasized that the best possible medical treatment should be guaranteed for them.
