DIG, two others martyred in Quetta

Attacker hit convoy during his morning commute

QUETTA: A senior police official and two of his colleagues were martyred when a suicide bomber struck his convoy in Quetta on Thursday, in the latest attack targeting security forces in the province.

The attacker hit the convoy of DIG Telecommunication Hamid Shakeel Sabir during his morning commute at the city’s Chaman Housing Scheme, killing him, his driver and an assistant sub-inspector.

“DIG Hamid Shakeel was on his way to office when the suicide bomber rammed himself into his vehicle,” SSP Operations Nasebullah said, adding, “The DIG, ASI Ramzan Muhammad Hasani and driver Jalil martyred in the attack.”

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released to the media.

Rescue workers, law-enforcement agencies and bomb disposal squad rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the Combined Military Hospital and Civil Hospital

“Approximately 12 to 15kg of explosives was used in the attack while a hand grenade was defused at the crime scene that was in the hand of the suicide bomber but couldn’t explode,” a member of the bomb disposal squad said.

Hamid Shakil Sabir joined the police force as DSP in 1988 and served on key positions – including SSP, DPO and SDPO. He was performing his duties as SSP Traffic and recently promoted as DIG communication.

PHOTO: EXPRESS



Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Speaker Raheela Hamid Durrani, tribal leaders and government officials condemned the attack and showed grief over the loss of an honest officer.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to tighten security measures in the provincial capital to avert any more attacks.

Police have released the CCTV footage of the blast scene in which Hamid Shakil’s vehicle was seen being targeted by the attacker.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, IG FC Balochistan Nadeem Anjum, IG Police Moazzam Jha, MPAs and Police Officers participated in the funeral prayers of Hamid Shakeel Sabir and other martyrs in the Police Line Quetta.

Attack on Police in Qta condemned. COAS acknowledges contributions of Police/ LEAs for peace. Sacrifices like DIG Hamid shall not go waste.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 9, 2017

With additional input from agencies.

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