‘Suicide’ blast: 14 killed in attack on Hazara pilgrims
There is no respite for Balochistan’s capital.
At least 14 people, including two policemen and a woman, were killed and 30 others were injured in what is believed to be a suicide attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from Iran on Thursday.
Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai told The Express Tribune that the attack was a suicide blast and the suicide bomber was in a private car which hit the bus in the Hazar Ganji area of Quetta.
“At least 14 people were killed and 30 others sustained injuries,” Bazai said.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the attack. The banned outfit’s spokesperson Abdu Bakar said the attack was carried out by Ziaur Rahman Farooqi and was in revenge for attacks on a madrassa and tablighi centre.
According to sources, the bus was carrying 50 passengers and was on its way from Taftan, a border town between Iran and Pakistan, when it was hit by a car from the opposite direction.
“Two police mobiles were providing security to the bus,” sources said, adding that a majority of the Zaireen (pilgrims) belonged to the Hazara community.
The bus and the police mobile vans were completely destroyed in the attack.
“Two policemen were killed and three sustained injuries while performing their duties,” Capital City Police Officer Meer Zubair said. “At least 50 kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the blast,” a Bomb Disposal Squad official told reporters.
Sources at the Provincial Home Department told The Express Tribune that the bus should have been stopped at a secure place for security clearance before heading towards the city. The home secretary said that another bus carrying Zaireen had been stopped in Mustang for security reasons and arrived at the attack site 30 minutes after the incident. The passengers of the other bus were escorted back to their homes by levies officials.
The deceased and injured were shifted to the Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical Complex and Combined Military Hospital.
The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), Tahfuz-e-Izadari Council,Tehrik Nifaz-i- Jaffaria, Balochistan Shia Conference, Paktunkwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and other political parties condemned the attack and urged that the culprits be brought to justice.
The attack comes a day after a bomb planted under a tea stall at a railway station in the Sibi Railway Station killed seven people, including a child, and wounded more than a dozen others.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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Now it is proven that Tablighee Jama'at is part of terror networks.
@Anon
I think Haris was being sarcastic
@T Khan: PTI and J.I are nothing but political voice of LEJ and TTP
"May be an election alliance consisting of the military, PTI and JI will ensure that we are taken seriously by US and Europe and NATO."
What about Judiciary? They should be an integral part of any such electoral alliance.
Haris, how easily you impute India and Isreal? This is just like burning your own house and calling your neighbor arson. Damn on such false belief, open your eyes and ears and look at the scenario through thoughtful spectacles. Fine, it is foreign hands, where is ISI which claims to be the wisest intelligence group, why can't it stop such plot before they take place? I am confident that it is the establishment to create such scenario compelling each ethnic group to hold guns and fight against each other so that they have chance to get hold of Gas and other natural resources of the province and that no one can stand for theri rights, coz govt will have the pretext that the locals could not manage and create the situation themselves.
Please stop shia genocide in Pakistan ... what's more disturbing is the way these banned "strategic Assets" (LeJ and others) come-up and openly claim responsibility for such barbaric act ... there is really no rule of law .. they are just completely sure that they won't ever get caught for this ... if judiciary is really serious sou moto this CJ
I want an apology.
Let's see PTI+JI condemned this or not . . .????
Q: When asked what sort of inquiry will be acceptable to his client, Ishaq said “We want that this inquiry should be held by impartial persons of credibility.”
A:* He wants people from the personal brigade of his father's SC ....!!!!*
These are Indian and Israeli agents who are blowing innocent people.
Pakistanis are peace loving muslims who will not even hurt a fly, let alone conduct such barbaric atrocities.
PTI and JI will save us from these barbarians within 90 days of being elected. Only sharia will solve all of Pakistan's issues.
Pakistan's security apparatus is doing a commendable job in Waziristan and Baluchistan and the rest of Pakistan. May be an election alliance consisting of the military, PTI and JI will ensure that we are taken seriously by US and Europe and NATO.
Long live Pakistan's strategic assets !
Literally there is no writ of Government in any part of the Province. Dozens have lost their lives just within a week in Provincial capital. Genocide of Hazara community continues. It was second attack on pilgrim’ bus this month. Law and order situation is worse than any city in the world but unfortunately, the Provincial chief still termed it “all is good”. This barbaric act of terrorism would not come to an end until and unless coordinated and intelligence based operation is not launched against LeJ and SSP who challenge Government after each and every evil deed. Now army should take up this issue as Police and FC have failed to crack down against these elements. This issue pertains to internal security and must be dealt with iron fists before a civil war erupts in the Province.
Literally there is no writ of Government in any part of the Province. Dozens have lost their lives just within a week in Provincial capital. Genocide of Hazaras are continue in presence of so called democratic Government. It was second attack on pilgrim’ bus this month. Law and order situation is worse than any city in the world but unfortunately, the Provincial chief still termed it as “all is good”. This barbaric act of terrorism would not come to an end until and unless coordinated and intelligence based operation is not launched against LeJ and SSP who challenge Government after each and every evil deed. Now army should take up this issue as Police and FC have failed to crack down against these elements. This issue pertains to internal security and must be dealt with iron fists before a civil war erupts in the Province.