Seven martyred in Sibi explosion

Blast happened several minutes after President Alvi addressed Sibi Mela

SIBI:

At least seven security personnel were martyred in an explosion in Sibi, several minutes after President Arif Alvi addressed a colourful concluding ceremony of the Sibi Mela at a venue close by, police said on Tuesday.

According to senior police official Dostain Dashti, the 7 martyrs were members of the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary. “The explosion happened some 25 minutes after the president left the area,” he told AFP, adding that initial investigations suggested it was a suicide attack.

Officials said the latest assault happened less than 800 metres from where Alvi attended a function earlier in the day. Hashim Ghilzai, a senior administration official from Balochistan, confirmed the death toll. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, saying one of its fighters detonated an explosive belt.

Balochistan Chief Minister Quddus Bizenjo strongly condemned the blast, saying that it was an attempt to sabotage the annual festival and overall peace in the province, according to a media report. He vowed to thwart "all conspiracies against the province".

The chief minister directed the police to beef up security in Sibi and arrest those involved in the incident. The chief minister also directed the authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to those injured in the blast.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of human lives. The chief minister prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured and said that the Punjab government shares the grief of bereaved families.

(AGENCIES WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)