Aug 8 attack mastermind arrested, says CM Zehri

Facilitators also nabbed, terrorists on the run

QUETTA: Balcohistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on Thursday announced the arrest of both the mastermind and facilitators of the Civil Hospital massacre which left more than 70 people dead in Quetta. No other details were provided by the chief minister.

At the same time, he said, the perpetrators behind the Police Training College suicide attack were being actively pursued.



Zehri said that a joint investigation team (JIT), comprising senior officials and experienced investigators, had already been formed to probe the attack.

He contended that if the previous governments had taken effective action, the security situation in the province would have been far better.

Referring to a terrorist attack in which he was personally targeted and his son, brother and other family members lost their lives, he said he boldly faced terrorists and had pledged to eliminate them once for all.

Outlining his government’s achievements, he said that the national anthem, once shunned in all educational institutions, was sung in all schools and colleges across Balochistan.



He said that terrorists were beating a hasty retreat.

“Pakistan’s flag is now being proudly unfurled everywhere in Balochistan, confirming that terrorists and separatists have been defeated,” he added.

The chief minister also presided over another meeting which reviewed development plans for Kalat division.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2016.