Blast in Turbat leaves four dead

Over 30 sustain injuries in attack

QUETTA:

A devastating explosion on Saturday in a suburban area of Turbat left at least four people dead and more than 30, including a senior superintendent of police (SSP), injured. The blast, which occurred in a busy area, sparked widespread concern and condemnation.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that SSP Zohaib Mohsin sustained minor injuries in the blast and was treated at a nearby hospital. The other injured are receiving medical attention as authorities work to determine the cause of the explosion.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast.

In a statement, the president expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the terrorist attack. He condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for grant of patience to them.

The president prayed for the early recovery of the injured. He said operations would continue till complete elimination of the menace of terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prayed that may Allah, The Almighty, elevate the ranks of the martyrs of the incident and expressed sympathies with their families. The prime minister also prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Sharif said that terrorists would not succeed in their nefarious designs, adding that the government and security forces were taking action against terrorists.

He said the government was determined to root out terrorism from the country.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and the injuries sustained. "Those responsible for targeting innocent people do not deserve to be called human beings," he stated.

He further vowed that the perpetrators would not be spared, stating, "The full force of the law will come down on those who carried out this heinous act."

The explosion involved a bus, which was reportedly set on fire by the blast, with images circulating on social media showing the burning vehicle and a nearby burnt motorcycle.

After the explosion, police and the Frontier Corps personnel quickly arrived at the scene, cordoned off the area, and launched an investigation. However, no arrests have been made so far.

In addition to Chief Minister Bugti, other political leaders in the province also condemned the attack. Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, the parliamentary leader of the PPP in the Balochistan Assembly, expressed his concern over the violence, calling for stronger security measures.

"We stand with the victims and their families in this difficult time," he said.

Balochistan Minister for Planning Noor Muhammad Dummar also condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for unity in the fight against such terrorism. "These attacks will not break our resolve; we will continue to work towards peace and stability in Balochistan," he affirmed.

The banned group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the blast.