Aug 14 to be celebrated in all its spirit for the Quetta martyrs: COAS

COAS says state institutions must cooperate with each other to defeat terrorism

Independence Day will be celebrated with all its zeal and fervour to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs who lost their lives in Saturday night's bomb attack in Quetta, said Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

General Bajwa arrived in Quetta on Sunday and visited the people injured in the attack at the Combined Military Hospital, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief said that the fight against terrorism will continue until peace is achieved and all state institutions need to cooperate with each other to defeat terrorism.



According to the ISPR, General Bajwa was also briefed at the Southern Command Headquarters on the bombing and the security situation in the area.

Moreover, the army chief also participated in the funeral prayers of the martyred.

Meanwhile, Commander Southern Command Lt. Gen. Amir Riaz paid tribute to “those who have been rendering sacrifices for Pakistan since its creation in 1947.”

Youth should play their part for the betterment of Pakistan, he said. "It is them who will run the affairs of the country in future." Pakistanis, he added, are the best nation in the world.

On Saturday night, 15  people, including eight military men, were martyred near Old Pishin bus stop last night when a bomber drove his explosives-packed into a military truck. The blast ignited a fire on the truck and several other vehicles driving past.

Some 25 others, among them 15 civilians, were injured in the attack.