Two policemen martyred, 21 others injured in blast near Quetta's Serena Hotel

Bloch Liberation Army (BLA) claims responsibility for the explosion

QUETTA:

Two police personnel were martyred while many others sustained injures when a powerful blast targeted their vehicle near a luxury hotel in Balochistan's capital Quetta on Sunday, officials said.

According to provincial government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani, a police van was targeted during the attack in which at least 21 people, including 12 cops, were also injured.

He said that the explosive material was planted in a motorcycle. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital.

According to the provincial spokesperson, an emergency has been declared in the hospital.

While condemning the “heinous incident”, Shahwani said that the terrorists want to dismantle the peaceful atmosphere in Balochistan. However, he added, those involved will be taken to task.

The police officials martyred during the blast were identified as Sepoy Niaz Ahmed resident of Sibbi and Ali Akbar resident of Dera Bugti.

Two police personnel were martyred while many others sustained injures when a powerful blast targeted their vehicle near a luxury hotel in Balochistan's capital Quetta on Sunday, officials said#etribune #Quetta #SerenaHotel #Latest #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/YbM1FXWm36

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 8, 2021

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) spokesperson said that the police van was targeted via an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a motorcycle.

Glass windows of nearby buildings were also shattered due to the explosion.

The police and FC personnel cordoned off the area.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned outfit, has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Earlier, MS Civil Hospital Quetta Dr Javed Akhtar said that among the 12 injured, five are police officials.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan, while condemning the incident, said that the terrorist elements wanted to destroy the peace of Balochistan. "We will never allow terrorists to succeed in their nefarious designs.”

He said that the people of the province stand behind the security forces to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.

The chief minister also sought a report of the incident from the relevant authorities. He also directed to provide the best possible health facilities to the victims of the blast.

Denouncing the incident, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that the government must put in place measures to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people.

He said that under prevailing circumstances, the law and order must be reassessed.

Balochistan has been wrecked by ethnic, sectarian, militant and separatist violence fed by a potpourri of groups.