The police and security personnel also defused another bomb attached to gas pipeline a few kilometres from the blast site.
The newly emerged Baloch Liberation Tiger has claimed the responsibility for the bomb blast and its spokesman, who introduced himself as Miran Baloch, said that it was a remote controlled blast and his organization carried out the attack.
Talking to a local news agency, Baloch said his organization will target those who will participate in the celebrations of Independence Day of Pakistan.
The blast took place inside the hotel when people were taking midday meal. The roof of the hotel collapsed and many were trapped for several hours.
“It was a homemade bomb which went off with a big bang turning the hotel into debris. The people were taking their midday meal when blast occurred,” Baloch added.
District Police Officer Jaffarabad Javed Gharshen said that unknown miscreants have planted explosive materials inside the Bismillah hotel.
Bismillah hotel is one of the three hotels on National Highway in Dera Allahyar open in the holy month of Ramzan to provide food to passengers.
The explosion rocked the district headquarters.
The personnel of Frontier Corps and police rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. They sealed off the area and recovered 13 bodies from the hotel. “At least 13 people were killed while over 22 sustained serious injuries,” Gharsheen added.
The deceased and injured were taken to nearby civil hospital where most of the injured were referred to Larkana and Jacobabad for further treatment. “Thirteen injured are in critical condition,” sources at hospital said.
The police officer said that it was a homemade bomb but was not sure about how much explosive material was used since there was no bomb disposal squad present at the blast site.
“Teams have been called from Sukkar and Quetta to make assessment of the blast,” DPO said
Police said the death toll could rise as several people were believed to be trapped in the rubble. The rescue workers and police were removing the rubble to find any survivors.
The blast also caused damages to nearby shops and buildings.
Meanwhile, DPO Gharshen said that they have seized 10kg explosive material near gas field on National Highway which connects Dera Allahyar to Usta Mohamamd.
“We had information from intelligence about the plot to blow up gas pipelines and managed to foil the attempt by acting on time,” he added.
COMMENTS (8)
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Militants groups and their sponsor political parties (BRA, BNA, BMN etc) in Balochistan are fast loosing their authority in the people. By and large most of the people consider them anti human, anti people and selfish elements doing every thing to satiate their lust for money and unfathomable greed. The so called Nawabs and Sardars involved in these activities are as a matter of fact beggars and scroungers who cannot earn their living honestly. The blasting of electric towers affect Balochs more than a non Baloch. Similarly killing innocent people, rocket firing, looting on highways and kidnapping for ransom has created more joblessness adding more to their miseries with an additional disrepute to their good name. The militancy and inept political authority in place has compelled the Pashtuns and non Balochs to push for a separate province as existed in 1947 and before 1970. The revival of the Chief Commissioners province will bring peace to a large part of area and allow development.
Very tragic.
Indian espionage at work - Indian terror cells working real hard. India will never let Pakistan sit in peace. By now Pakistan should have had security at every corner of Baluchistan. Pakistan needs to seal its borders with tough security, otherwise its an open invitation to India to cause mahem.
So when will the Human Rights organizations condemn this 'act of terrorism' against civilians?
I say we need more of the 'kill and dump' operations.
And didn't the mouthpieces of these terrorist organizations actually hold a press conference in the US and call Pakistan a 'terrorist State'?
Why is the US allowing terrorists such as these free space to promote their propaganda and fund their terrorist activities?
"The newly emerged Baloch Liberation Tiger has claimed the responsibility for the bomb blast" This outfit and the blast is surely a gift from one of our neighbors in east , one who need not be named....just like Voldemort of Harry Potter......
Happy Independence Day !!
message from TTPPeople were taking midday meal in ramazan?