10 killed in Quetta blast targeting FC

TTP claims responsibility for explosion targetting security forces' vehicle

QUETTA: At least 10 people including four security personnel, a woman and child were killed and 23 others sustained injuries in a suicide attack on Saturday in Quetta.

According to details, security personnel convoy comprising a truck and two vehicles was on a routine patrolling on the Adalat Road of Quetta city when a bicycle rider targeted it, killing ten people.

A large number of policemen rushed to the spot shortly after the incident and cordoned off the area. The deceased and injured were shifted to the Civil Hospital Quetta.

Soldiers examine the site of a bomb explosion that targeted a security convoy in Quetta on February 6, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the attack.

“The TTP’s TSG unity carried out the attack that targeted the convoy of security forces,” Taliban spokesperson, Mohammad Khorasani said in a statement.

DIG Police Quetta Sayed Imtiaz Shah has said it was a suicide attack as a bicycle rider hit the FC’s Convoy on Adalat Road area. “Around 12 to 15 kg explosive material was used in the blast,” the DIG Said.

Spokesperson Balochistan Government Anwar ul Haq Kakar, talking to The Express Tribune, said that security forces carried out 250 intelligence- based operations in Balochistan against the terrorists.

“The act of the suicide bombing is reaction of the security forces’ operation to demoralize the security forces,” he said, adding that forces’ morale are high and government will not tolerate any kind of terrorist act.



Another possible reason for the attack could be the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as terrorists don’t want it to be completed and are using common people for their interest.

According to the sources, around five vehicles, four motorcycles and three Rickshaws were damaged due to suicide blast. The window panels of the nearby offices were also destroyed in the blast.



Home secretary Balochistan Akbar Hussain Durani while talking to the media on the spot said the suicide bomber targeted the FC vehicles.

Claiming that the attack was aimed at damaging the CPEC project, the secretary said, “Because of the Economic Corridor, the security forces are being targeted by terrorists.”

Inspector General Frontier Corps Balochistan Major General Sher Afgun said that the elements who are involved in terrorist activities will be eliminated.

“Action against the terrorists will be fast and will bring peace for people of Balochistan,” he said.

The deceased were identified as Mohammad Asif, 13-year-old Samreen Kurd, Hisbullah.

Injured FC personnel were identified as Naseebullah, Nazim Ali, Nasib Ali, Mohammad Arif, Abdul Hafeez, Liqaut Ali Shah, Inamullah, ZiaUllah, Shad Aman, Aishfaq, Mohammad Ashraf, Naqeeb and civilian as Abdul Wahab, Aman, Mohammad Naeem, Manzoor, Saman, Dilawar, Aehsanullah, Naqeebullah, Uzma, Mohammad Asim and police constable Mohamamd Dad Muhammad.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri has also condemned the suicide attack and expressed his deep sorrow for the FC personnel and civilians who lost their loves. The chief minister also announced compensation of Rs1 million for those killed and Rs500,000 for the injured.