JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamdullah survives bomb attack

Senior Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah on Thursday survived a bomb attack with non-lethal injuries, while travelling in the Mastung district of Balochistan, police and the provincial leadership of the JUI-F party said.

The bomb blast targeted Hamdullah’s vehicle in the Choto area, while he was going to Mangochar via Mastung Road.

Police sources said that at least 11 people, including Hamdullah, were injured in the explosion. The injured were taken to Mastung hospital but Hamdullah was later shifted to Quetta.

Haji Ainullah Shams, the spokesperson for the Balochistan chapter of the JUI-F, confirmed that Hamdullah was injured in the explosion "but not critically".

JUI-F Central Secretary General Maulana Ghafoor Haideri later said that Hafiz Hamdullah was out of danger.
There has been no claims of responsibility for the explosion but many JUI-F leaders were targeted by the the banned Islamic State (IS) in the past.

The bomb attack came a day after the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed a key IS commander in Mastung district.

The Mastung district administration officials rushed to the spot immediately after the explosion. Investigators also reached the spot and collected evidence, as a probe into the attack got under way.

Officials confirmed that 11 people were injured who had been shifted to Quetta for treatment.Condemnations
In a statement, Maulana Haideri lashed out at the provincial government for failing to provide security to the party leaders. "We will not step back from our just struggle", he said, warning that the party would launch a protest movement, if the rulers failed in providing protection to its leaders.

JUI-F Balochistan chief Maulana Abdul Wasey also condemned the attack, demanding of the government to arrest the accused immediately.

Caretaker Balochistan Home Minister Zubair Jamali also condemned the bomb attack, seeking a report from the authorities concerned.

The Central Media Cell of the JUI-F said in a separate statement that the party chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, strongly condemned the bomb blast and prayed for a speedy recovery of Hamdullah and other injured.

“Such attacks before elections are not acceptable in any case. The provincial caretaker government should bring those who are responsible for this tragic incident to justice,” the statement quoted Fazl as saying. “Elements involved in terrorism do not deserve any concession.”

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the “dastardly attack” and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.

He also stressed that the entire nation was standing united in the face of terrorism.

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Zardari also condemned the incident and prayed for the injured.

“Terrorists and facilitators involved in terrorism should be brought under the law,” he said.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said targeting innocent citizens and political personalities was a cowardly act and elements involved in terrorism did not deserve any leniency.

He added that the nation stood united against this menace.

Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar also condemned the blast, expressing grief over the people injured in the incident.

“The nation stands united against terrorism,” he said in a statement, praying for the swift recovery of the injured.