Deadly motorcycle bomb terrorises Pishin

Two children among three dead as bomb detonated near DC office

QUETTA:

A powerful explosion ripped through Balochistan's Pishin District on Saturday, claiming the lives of three individuals, including two children, and leaving over a dozen others injured, among them five police officers.

The blast occurred near the Deputy Commissioner's Complex Pishin, a bustling area teeming with people at the time.

Police sources confirmed that the bomb, containing five to six kilograms of explosives, was planted in a motorcycle parked by the roadside.

In the aftermath, the injured were swiftly transported to Civil Hospital Pishin, where an emergency was declared to manage the influx of casualties.

Dr Wakeel Sherani, the medical superintendent at the hospital, reported that several victims were in critical condition, with one woman's injuries being particularly severe.

Due to the gravity of their conditions, some of the seriously wounded were transferred to the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Quetta for advanced medical care.

The blast has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting authorities to tighten security across Pishin and its surrounding areas.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack in the strongest terms, expressing his sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

He directed law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigation and submit a detailed report on the incident.

Bugti also vowed to bring those responsible for the attack to justice, stating, "The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not go unpunished."

The incident has heightened tensions in the province, which has seen a surge in violence in recent years. As the investigation unfolds, the people of Pishin and Balochistan at large are left mourning the victims and hoping for swift justice.

DG Khan terrorists attack

Punjab police successfully foiled an attack by terrorists in the Taunsa Sharif area of Dera Ghazi Khan, killing two terrorists, a spokesperson for Punjab Police said on Saturday.

In a fierce gun battle, the terrorists used hand grenades and other heavy weapons against the police. SHO of Vehova Police Station, Sadiq Baramani, and police constable Muzammil Nazir sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

The spokesperson noted that four attempts by militants to attack checkpoints located on the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa border were also thwarted. "In light of the threat of terrorism, checkpoints at the Punjab-Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa border were on high alert," the spokesperson said. The insurgents were believed to be planning attacks on police stations or other sensitive locations within Punjab.

Intelligence agencies had previously received information about the infiltration of terrorists into Punjab.

SHO Vehova and his team pursued the insurgents, who, upon seeing the police, attacked with hand grenades and heavy firearms. "Equipped with bulletproof vehicles, helmets, and jackets, the police officers responded immediately," the spokesperson added.

Backup teams from the police and Elite Force arrived on the scene promptly.

After a heated exchange, both militants were neutralised. The spokesperson mentioned that the bulletproof police vehicle sustained damage from grenades and gunfire.

Following the incident, RPO Dera Ghazi Khan, Captain (retd) Sajjad Hassan Khan, and DPO Syed Ali arrived at the scene. RPO DG Khan, accompanied by the DPO, visited Tehsil Hospital Taunsa to check on the injured officers.

Punjab Police chief Dr Usman Anwar praised the officers for their bravery in confronting and eliminating the terrorists.

"Police and all security agencies are on high alert, and terrorists will not be allowed to enter Punjab under any circumstances," Dr Anwar stated. "Punjab Police will spare no effort in protecting the lives and property of citizens."

A search and sweep operation by police and other law enforcement agencies is ongoing in the area, according to the Punjab Police spokesperson.