At least nine people were injured in an explosion in Quetta on Wednesday.
Police reported that among the injured were four children, who, as scrap collectors, were searching for valuable items in the garbage when the explosion occurred.
The children were engrossed in scouring the garbage dump, where they discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and decided to investigate. Tragically, the IED exploded when all four children gathered around it to inspect it closely.
After the blast, law enforcement and rescue teams rushed to the scene. The injured were transferred to the hospital for immediate medical assistance. According to Dr Arbab Kamran, the Trauma Center MD, a total of nine individuals injured by the explosion were brought to the hospital.
He said that two of the four children were in critical condition while the rest of the injured had sustained minor injuries.
Read At least five, including three children, injured in Quetta blast
Initial investigations by the Quetta Police suggested that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). The authorities are actively conducting a thorough inquiry to ascertain the details surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
SSP Operations, who is overseeing the investigation, emphasized the potential danger of such incidents occurring in densely populated areas and urged the public to remain vigilant.
Security measures have been heightened in the aftermath of the incident to ensure the safety of the community.
Hamza Shafqat, the Commissioner Quetta Division urged the people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and report any suspicious activities to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Commissioner visited the site of the blast and reviewed security arrangements in the area. The government and local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have vowed to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the public.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2024.
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