The death toll in a suicide bombing near the Shahwani stadium at the Sariab de Quetta last night increased to 15 on Wednesday.
The attack occurred shortly after the conclusion of a public meeting of the Baluchistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the deceased Sardar Attaullah Mengal. The prohibited militant Islamic state group claimed responsibility today from the attack, AFP reported.
Going today to a press conference, the additional main secretary (home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said the suicide attack charged 15 lives and wounded another 32.
He said the explosion occurred approximately 500 meters from the exit point of the rally, adding that the rally had officially completed hours before, with the explosion at 9:45 pm in a poorly illuminated area near a cemetery.
Shafqaat said the attacker could not violate the main meeting due to strict security measures, including the deployment of 120 police personnel.
He added that this forced the assailant to detonate the device of the crowd. “The remains of the bomber, which is believed to be less than 30 years old, recovered and the authorities estimate that about eight kilograms of explosives were used,” he said.
Shaqaat said that the main minister had announced a compensation package of RS1.5 million for the families of the deceased, RS0.5M for each injured individual and 200,000 RS in support for minor victims.
He said that section 144 has been applied throughout Baluchistan until September 15 and a maximum alert of the entire province is still in force, and added that the authorities have also banned meetings and public processions after sunset, especially during Eid Miladun Nabi, to guarantee public safety.
Shafqaat urged the public to trust the law enforcement agencies, follow security protocols and inform any suspicious activity.
Cm bugti orders rapid action against perpetrators, requires unity
Separately, Baluchistan’s prime minister Sarfaraz Bugti promised to take perpetrators before justice, declaring that terrorists would not be allowed to destabilize the peace of the province.
The main minister expressed these comments during a high level meeting on the law and the order gathered following the attack.
During the meeting, Shafqaat and the Interim Inspector General of the Saeed Wazir Police presented detailed information about the incident. CM Bugti emphasized the need to strengthen security protocols and said there would be zero tolerance for periods in public protection.
He ordered Shafqaat to keep both the public and the media with verified updates to counteract the wrong information.
“The terrorists behind the Shahwani stadium explosion will be taken to their logical conclusion and will be responsible for the law,” Bugti added, reaffirming the solidarity of the government with the families of the victims.
He said that seriously injured people would be transferred to Karachi through government air services if necessary to guarantee optimal medical care.
The prime minister urged political and citizens to cooperate with the agencies of application of the law during the current threat alert.
“This is a time for unity and collective resolution to defeat those who seek to spread fear,” he said.
In preparation for the next religious events, Bugti ordered the officials to devise a comprehensive security plan for Eid Miladun Nabi processions. He appealed to the public to support the authorities to maintain peace during these meetings.
He also visited the Trauma Center of the Civil Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta to ask about the health of the victims of the explosion.
Health Department officials informed the principal minister about medical facilities provided to the injured.
The prime minister met with the injured and his heirs and asked about the quality of the treatment.
Expressing their satisfaction with the steps taken for the treatment and care of the injured, he said that all possible medical facilities were provided to the injured.
CM Bugti said the terrorists were showing cowardice by attacking innocent citizens and would not succeed in their design to sabotage the peace of the province.
President, PM Shehbaz Condemn Blast
President Asif Ali Zardari vehemently condemned the explosion, said a statement from the presidency, added that he ordered the relevant institutions to launch comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators were taken before justice.
The president expressed his deep pain and solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, offering their condolences. He also prayed for the rapid recovery of the injured directives and issued the officials worried to provide them with the best possible medical treatment.
In a separate statement issued by the office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in an official visit to Beijing, also condemned the attack in the strongest terms. The prime minister expressed his deep sadness and anguish for the loss of lives.
Prime Minister Shehbaz characterized the assault on political manifestation as “condemnatory evidence of the disastrous conspiracy by terrorists to spread chaos in Baluchistan.” He said that “terrorists are the enemies of peace and development in Baluchistan.”
In addition, he declared: “We will continue the war against terrorism until the complete eradication of this threat.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz declared that attacks against innocent and unarmed citizens were “cowardly and condemnable.” The prime minister also instructed the authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured and to guarantee the rapid identification and prosecution of those involved in the bombing.
He also spoke with CM Bugti to extend his condolences.
“The terrorists involved in the explosion will be tracked and will receive exemplary punishment,” said Prime Minister. “Terrorists are enemies of peace and development in Baluchistan.”
