Attack on IGP: Quetta blast death toll rises to 8

Banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claims credit for the attack.

QUETTA:

The death toll from Sunday’s suicide attack on the residence of Balochistan police chief Mushtaq Sukhera rose to eight on Monday, while the number of injured victims is stated to be 97.

Banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed credit for the attack. A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the gate of IGP Sukhera’s house, moments after he drove in.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai and Mushtaq Sukhera visited the injured victims, many of whom are said to be in a critical condition at the Combined Military Hospital. The victims include four personnel of paramilitary Frontier Corps, two policemen and two civilians.

Addressing the media, Sukhera said the victims would be financially compensated. Families of the FC and police personnel killed in the blast would be given Rs3 million in compensation, while their children would be provided free education and free medical treatment. One individual from each of the families would be provided a job, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.