A paramilitary soldier takes up position outside the Bolan Medical Complex as a helicopter circles above. PHOTO: AFP
A remote controlled bomb was detonated aboard a bus parked in the parking lot of Sardar Bahadur Khan University which killed 14 female students and injured as many as 19 other students.
When victims were shifted to the Bolan Medical Complex a second blast took place and as many as 14 terrorists stormed the hospice. They killed four FC personnel and the deputy commissioner who responded to the attack.
Security forces surrounded the hospice before commandoes stormed the complex and killed the attackers. At least four attackers were killed while one suspect was arrested.
The federal government, while dismissing talks of foreign hands, has said that they will fully support the provincial government and an inquiry committee will be setup to probe the matter.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that a joint committee will also be formed which will assess the damage to the Quaid-e-Azam residency in Ziarat that had been attacked early on Saturday. The committee will also draw up restoration plans.
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END OF LIVE UPDATES
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8:35pm
A high-level meeting chaired by the Interior Minister in Islamabad has decided to beef up security for institutions of national importance, Radio Pakistan reported.
In the wake of terror incidents in Ziarat and Quetta‚ Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad and ordered a probe into the deadly attacks.
"We will conduct an open inquiry on how this happened. We need to maintain morale but at the same time learn from our mistakes."
The meeting also decided to further tighten security of all institutions of national importance.
The meeting was informed that work on rehabilitation of Quaid-i-Azam Residency‚ Ziarat would start as soon as possible.
The Interior Minister directed that stern action should be taken against terrorists and criminals.
Nisar told the media that the wooden structure and furniture of the residency have been burnt. The photographic museum is intact.
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7:55pm
Chaudhry Nisar confirms that 14 students have been killed and 19 others are injured. Four Frontier Corps personnel have been killed along with the deputy commissioner. Four terrorists have been killed and one suspect has been arrested.
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7:50pm
Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar is addressing the media in Islamabad. He says that the Quaid-e-Azam residency has its own set of security guards who are generally unarmed and have support from police to maintain security.
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7:45pm
CCPO Quetta has said that the BMC has been cleared and as many as nine attackers have been killed.
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7:35pm
According to BBC Urdu the militant group BLA has claimed responsibility for last night's attack on the Quaid-e-Azam residency in Ziarat and the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed responsibility for the bus bombings in Quetta today.
Information Rasheed says that those responsible for the attacks will be dealt accordingly. "Regardless of affiliation, we will try and arrest those who conducted the act."
He adds that the attacks are a continuation of violent acts in the province. "Today's attacks are a continuation of a series of attacks that have been continuing in the region."
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7:30pm
Federal minister for information Pervaiz Rasheed says that the attackers were locals. "If there is any evidence of foreign hands, they have to have some cooperation from hands within the country."
The minister says that the provincial government has the complete support of the federal government. "Today this happened, and the prime minister talked to the chief minister of Balochistan and in the coming days, we will be physically present there."
He suggested that this was an attack by local people and not foreigners. He urged these elements to stop hurting their brothers and sisters and to shirk the "politics of gun".
"Now Baloch nationalist parties have taken part in the elections. PML-N had a majority, but sensing the anger among the youth, but our leader Sanaullah Zehri, he sacrificed his seat of chief minister and give the nationalists a chance to lessen the anger of the youth. But even after this they continue this politics of the gun."
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7:00pm
Another blast has been heard from Bolan Medical Complex.
Sources have said that four militants and two security personnel have been killed during the operation so far.
There are reports that at least five more attackers are still present inside the building.
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6:30pm
Dr Sagheer Baloch, who is inside Bolan Medical Complex, said that he is not aware of how many terrorists are inside the building. He said that he was hiding inside a room with 10-15 people.
He also said that firing and helicopters were being heard.
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6:20pm
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
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6:12pm
Special security forces are still reported to be outside the Bolan Medical Complex building.
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5:45pm
A search operation has begun.
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5:40pm
Senior Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sanauallah Zehri has said that police and FC personnel are taking part in the operation.
The death toll from the bus blast has risen to 12, while 19 are reported to be injured.
At least six people were killed as a result of the blast and firing at Bolan Medical Complex.
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5:21
There is confirmation that three security personnel were killed as a result of the firing at Bolan Medical Complex.
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5:10pm
It is being reported that Deputy Commissioner Quetta Abdul Mansoor Kakar was shot as he was preparing to leave the hospital.
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5:00pm
Firing from the rooftop of Bolan Medical Complex has stopped.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to help the Balochistan Government in controlling the situation.
Sources inside the hospital have said that a number of armed men are present inside the building.
Preparations for an operation are currently underway. FC personnel have taken up positions on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the complex.
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4:50pm
Deputy Commissioner Quetta Abdul Mansoor Kakar has succumbed to his injuries.
Assistant Commissioner Anwar Ali and an additional SHO are reported to be severely injured.
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4:40pm
Special Forces have been called in for an operation to clear the hospital.
There is no confirmation on how many armed men are present inside the hospital.
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4:30pm
Emergency was declared at the hospital immediately after the blast.
FC and police personnel immediately surrounded the hospital after the incident took place.
There are reports that armed men on the roof of the hospital have opened fire. Security personnel are reported to be firing back.
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4:25pm
The second blast is reported to have taken place inside the emergency of Bolan Medical Complex.
Officials have given no information of the second blast.
Firing has been heard from around the area.
It has been reported that some members of the media have been injured as a result of the second blast.
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4:20pm
"It was an improvised explosive device placed in the women university bus" in Quetta, city police chief Zubair Mahmood told AFP.
"The dead were all women students," he said.
The bomb exploded after the girls students had boarded and the bus was leaving the university.
"We are investigating if it was a remote controled bomb, the police official said.
Another police official Fayyaz Sumbal added the bus caught fire after the explosion and many students were critically wounded.
COMMENTS (105)
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@Green Tiger: "....DCP, ACP & SHO killed.. also many other of soldiers… IK should do something quickly....." . Instead of discussing the matter over a cup of coffee, IK could invite them to a whole night bash, with Khattak Dance and a little more. . Money for partying shouldn't be a problem, as Fauzia K. claims that on orders of IK she went on a sojourn of the US to collect pouches of mighty dollars. Only if she can be believed these days.
Shia muslims girls were the clear target..
Mrs Clinton said"if u bring up snakes and hope they will only bite your neighbors...." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now the snakes are showing their fangs within Pakistan.
Saifullah : It make me sicker to read comments like yours.
First of all BAL has not accepted the responsibility so we need to hold our judgment. In this complex asymmetrical war, no one can be trusted to provide full and honest information. Add to this failure and incompetence of Authorities and you have all the ingredients of apocalyptic disater. Violence is going to escalate the cycle of violence. Why FC reacts then tries to prevent such attacks? Why the new government offers negotiation with BAL?
Question to PIT...err.... sorry PTI: Immubhai still wants to talk peace with the terrorists?!
quetta and ziarat carnage seems to be coordinated between BLA and LeJ. Terror have no religion and ethenicity. They need to be eliminated and crushed and not negotiated.
It's obvious they don't want to do negotiations with you. All they want is blood of young pakistani girls, so stop begging for negotiations. Either control them or go home and allow someone else to bring them to their place. Today the world is laughing at Pakistan that they can't even protect their own heritage ie House of our Great Quid and young ladies, who went to University to get education. Looks like your NUFS is dead, or you wouldn't beg for negotiations right after these horrific incidents.
Dear Readers, Please do not rush and mix these two incidents together. It was a brutal and cowardly attack on women university students. The culprits should be hanged infront of all the citizens. But please do your research before spitting your hate against BLA etc. The residency one was accepted by BLA but not the hospital one. LeJ has accepted the hospital one on BBC. This is a sectarian violence and a continuity of Feb 13 one. No form of violence is acceptable on civilians at all. But think before you speak. And this LeJ has its deep roots in Punjab, why they are not eliminated first in Punjab and then else where. Anyhow myheart is feeling the pain of all those who lost their lives. But if we common people do not understand why and who is doing this then we can never put an end to it.
@Ali: We want Musharraf! PERIOD
This attacks may be part of a plan to bring Army/Mush back.
A real test for "mian sahabs" govt, let's see what he can do to sort out this mess, like Abdi said on tv today " we talked about it for 5 years and done nothing, let's see if this govt does the same" condolences to the souls who lost there lives to this foreign backed by so called Muslim "brothers" ideaoligy. Shame on us, we all know who's responsible, they even issue statements to publicise it, but no action from the weak governments we vote in again and again. Come back Mr Musharraff all is forgiven.
@Nero: They have shot poor workers point blank through the head because of their ethnicity - what good record are you talking about. The BLA have butchered innocent civilians in th epast - so get your facts right.
From the comments above, one thing is very clear :
Pakistanis are deeply disappointed that BLA is not responsible for this.
Too bad, a great opportunity to blame the Kuffrs (RAW here) for the death of 25 people is lost!!!
There was an understanding once upon a time - not to kill the young, weak, old, sick, and women. These murderers, have broken just about norm in the name of God! Figure it out.
The tools created by the Pakistani Establishment to harm its neighbours are coming to haunt their own country. Some serious rethinking is needed to save the country from self inflicted menace.; I feel that enemy within the country is more dangerous than the one on the border. Pakistan should refrain from its self destructive approach.
It could be Indians taking revenge for the defeat of Kargil.
@Muneeb: Do they teach how to twist words in school, just the way they teach twisted history? I didn't claim Baloch insurgents have a sparkling record of not attacking civilians. Its evident from my post. I am sure they are behind shooting of several Punjabis. But that pales in comparison to what LEJ/LET/Taliban does while specifically targeting civilians. The difference is evident in the way Shias and Ahmediyas have been attacked by the latter over last decade.
@Imran:
You're countries security apparatus wants an eternity of bad days such as this for your Muslim neighbors in Afghanistan.
A very sad day for Balochistan and all Pakistanis. All those responsible for such barbaric acts are terrorists, regardless of which ever group they belong to. When will a security policy that gets results be in place to halt the savage heartless ways of all groups that revert to terrorism, and tried in courts of justice. Killing senselessly should be denounced by all with a bit of common sense. Pakistan has lost 50,000 lives so far to such - mothers, fathers, daughters, sons... sad to an extreme. Very very tragic, how many more, too terrible for words...
@Water Bottle: You didn't do you History homework correctly in school. Your figures are wrong.
The death toll continue irrespective of peace desire by the nation. We must bring justice to all in these crises. neither the security forces nor the terrorist should be sided with when it comes to humen justice. Pakistan must deal with all citizen in accordance to law of justice. For too long we collectively have not been true to the causes that hurt harmoney among citizens and the end to this must be now.
Our approach to these crises must me 360 degrees. it must be rational thinking. I feel sorry for the loss of life of these innocent girls and i feel sorry for those mothers too who are helpless to see their children to spread violance. Dear mothers and other family memebers and their friends of those who spread violance, please rise up and report when you suspect your son has a chance to kill innocents and are misled by any idialogy that promote terror as means to solve problems. I am dismayed what they did but I want to know why they did it so we can lead them to right way of addressining their grievences?
Only people with no brain will not question why its happening to us in such a violent way. wake up nation! Do something for peace.
old govt or new govt, lashkar e jhangvi will keep killing the Shias in Pakistan. this is their religion to kill whoever is a shia. my fellow pakistanis must have been relieved to find out that the target were the shias and not their fellow citizens. phewwww got scared for a minute
The bombing and shooting massacre on the female students and civilian hospital, leaving dozens dead and injured, was committed by the extremist Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Will we hold peace talks with them too? Since we're holding talks with TTP who have members from the Taliban, as well as from LeJ and share the same twisted hateful ideological beliefs and violent methods that has left thousands dead and counting.
I think the Pak state would probably let this slide and instead will act more outraged and show more urgency in chasing the ethnic Baloch nationalist militants who killed the guards and burned down the national monument earlier instead.
What a sad day, really really sad day. I want to forget this day. Pakistan Zindabaad.
TTP is responsible for this bomb blast not BLA.......
Now terrorist have turn to killing our sisters and daughters.Salute to our Govt who still want to negotiate with terrorist.
guys its TTP not "BLA" TTP is responsible for todays blast in QTA
That is the biggest conspiracy of our country enemy..... they just developing the feeling of hate between provinces.. They creating such feeling as in past India developed between EAST and WEST PAKISTAN now such noxious feeling are anchoring among Baloch and other communities. That is my Humble request not blaming to each other and try to recognise the Enemy.. this is first need, time to unite not split...
For those who think that todays blast at qta ''woman's uni'' BLA is involved?? it is not true. Its not BLA ok,,,, its TAILABAN cuz "tailaban's" is against the education of girls so if u don't know,,, better not to blame others for that....
The Karmic retribution of fomenting Jihadi Terrorism to kill neighbours inevitably catches up.
The attack was carried out by Lashkar e Jhangvi not BLA!!!!!.
How to commend or condemn PM Mian Nawaz Sharif who took over as PM for record time just a few days back and just see how many are killed almost each day in Karachi and other places including today when innocent medical students are killed in Quetta. Just yesterday only Quaide Azam Residency, Ziarat has been put to flames which was our most prestigious monument of the country but it had never ever been touched earlier but now it is an added feather into the cap of PML (N). Load shedding is continuing though both brothers Nawaz and Shahbaz have time and again assured innocent voters that there will be no more shut down of electricity.What else we want to see in coming days? Who opposes or favors me? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait
Females, University Students and Shia's? These Talibans are killing three birds with one stone these days. Another sad day for the region.
@Jat: You thought it was Talibans and their associates and not BLA. You are so correct.
@Aysha M: Perhaps it is not the time for dark comedy?
Its LeJ, not TTP.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22920542
DCP, ACP & SHO killed.. also many other of soldiers...
IK should do something quickly..
which pakistani political party has the courage to take on the deobandi-wahabi sect responsible for all this?
While I do not condone the actions of the BLA, I do believe that Balochistan should either be given autonomy within the state of Pakistan or complete independence. It is clear that the Pakistan government cares only about Punjab and Karachi for the money and Balochistan has been severely neglected.
BBC Urdu has just reported that LEJ has taken responsibility for this attack.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2013/06/130615quettawomenunibusattacksa.shtml
Sad that it has come to this and no one will take action against talibani monstes. Where should the Hazara people go?
@Mehreen: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed responsibility for the bus bombings in Quetta today. It is Sunnis who attacked the bus to kill Shia students.
This is what you wish on other people.
@ET Can you confirm if Mir Hasil Biznjo (Leader Baloch National party) has denied any BLA involvement in this and said this is the work of TTP? Since some media are saying this.
Pakistan Zindabad !!!!
ET correct your facts, BBC says Laskkare Jhangvi accepted the responsibility not BLA.
Don't blame or curse these innocent and misled brothers of ours... they are the Sons of the Nation...let them kill as many they want...lets bring them to the table and hold talks with them...present them with flowers and other noble awards.... they too belong to the clan which is under attack by US drones...let them kill children, women, men, army personals, police, FC ...let them kill as many as they want
@Nero, ask that from Punjabis who faced genocide in Balochistan. Clean track record of not attacking civvies.
This is a clear cut handiwork of Taliban and not BLA as some are trying to put the blame on the latter. Taliban are going all out to destabilise the newly elected govt by attacking soft targets and create an anarchy to get all its demands materialized by force. There is no point of talking to these barbarians who are killing women who are serving in health services of the country. The military should be clearly asked to eliminate these senseless militants who are bent upon killing innocent civilians or completely surrender to them.
A decisive action must be taken against LeJ and BLA which now seems one party.
I am Actualy the nearest to the locations where these all things are happening . i am right now in PakTurk School. where i am watching News and the operation
Imran khan of naya pakistan will say that its not the brotherly Taliban but PML and PPP to blame for this.
Whoever is responsible for such inhuman act should be brought to justice. It is a pity that national strategic and defense institutions fail to deliver and uphold its peoples' rights. And that too a right to live. And it is shame on both, on institutions as well as the people who did it. And in this sea of shame common people are caught. Sad.
Wait a bit and these reeking cowards will claim applaud for a their heroic actions. This attack has Taliban (I don't care about the variety - TTP/LEJ/LET whatever) written all over it. Though I suspect BLA is not the one here. Baloch insurgents have a much better record at not directly attacking civilians, though not completely clean. But, way better than commanders of the faith.
The government will never condemn the terrorists by name.
Hazaras again slaughterd by taliban.lej sad
@san:
Agree.
@Saifullah: Any thing new in this? Look at the history that is what has happened always. Brothers killing brothers. Sons killing or putting father in jail and so on
Does your nation now understand why Bugti was killed?? To put an end to the terrorists you have just empowered once again
@Baloch: This is the work of TTP
shame on BLA
Yep just looked at some descriptions of the attack and seems like majority students were Hazara shia females. Looks like a LEJ sectarian attack on shias rather than BLA. ET please publish this.
@ water bottle....muslims are killing muslim but if we think about it we cant call these barbarics muslims...time will come when you will see non muslims in foreign countries killing muslims.....the westerners are slowly losing their patience and they is evident by what happened after those two Nigerians killed a soldier. Time has come....muslims have to stop just saying that islam is a religion of peace....we now have to proove it...jus saying it is not enough.
Sick attack by sick minds. I hope your government gives a fitting reply to these, I can't call them beasts, it will be an insult to beasts.
@Saifullah It makes you sick when 'muslims kill muslims'. Does it make you sick when muslims kill non-muslims? Please - for your own sake, stop looking at the world with a prism of muslim/non-muslim. That seems to be the root cause of a lot of problems that Pakistan faces today.
@Saifullah: It makes me sick when anybody kills anybody, anywhere in world. An innocent person killed is murder of humanity regardless of his religion.
@Muneeb: Even in the face of such a tragedy you are unable to get over your hatred and prejudices ! I said, "wait for more news". Is that too hard for you to understand ?
It make sick to the bottom of my heart when Muslim kills Muslim. When has become of us.
@Jat, look here, i am an Indian coming to defence of our strategic asset the BLA.
Dare I say it, lets blame it on Musharraf (sic pathetic people). Long live Gen Musharraf...time will prove you right that you can only negotiate with these animals from a position of strength.
@Green Tiger: Keep considering yourselves as some kind of superior beings, as against ahmedis, Shias and non Muslims, and you will see no end in sight to the violence plaguing the Islamic world. Rgds
@Tabdeeli:
The PPP Governments of waste years and those of the previous military as well. Have you not have had enough from the Governments who use violence against its own citizens.The social fabric of the volks has been broken in your country, its restoraton must be the first task for the new Govenment. I see in Pakistan a war of cultures, the one who resist violence and the other who consider violence as the solution.
Rex Minor
Wake up Elected Democratic Government. There will be no second chance. This is the end of Pakistan .
@ Aysha M.. Seem like the work of secular BLA
ET pro BLA ?
Perhaps PTI could discuss this with Taliban over coffee and sort it all out
@ Water Bottle .. Start caring about Kashmiris are killed as well.
@Water Bottle: Beta I am an Indian living in India, and dont you dare question my commitment to my country.
@ Water Bottle .. Stop your hatred here
@Aamir: Dont jump to conclusions - BLA hasnt taken responsibility of these two incidents - they took it for the attack on residency. This looks more like a Taliban style attack. Wait for more news...
Shame on BLA. Its time that their leaders given political asylum in European capitals are brought to justice
@Jat:
You didn't mind it when they were killing Indians.
You didn't mind when they kidnapped, raped and force converted Hindu girls.
So, don't mind now.
why are all the liberals so quick to blame the taliban? it may well have been baloch freedom fighters for all we know right know
I have a very bad feeling about the second blast that took place in the emergency centre of the hospital. :(
@Tabdeeli: Only the Balochistan government can call the Army as now Provinces are independent in calling the Army and without their consent Army cannot directly operate. Balochistan gov have already rejected deployment of Army So just ask Balochistan Government because Army cannot break the Constitution for any reason now.
They are Beasts, come what may, we need to get rod of them. Sooner the better.
Wallah alaam !!! what do they want .. Killing students , that to female ?
This coward attack on hospital and femles shows the desperateness of terrorists and shows we are near to success against handful sardars who are working for anti Pakistan elements. U can't bow Pakistan 'u cowards'!!
PTI should start the negotiation process with all militant groups in Quetta immediately. The attack is not an attack on Shia or Ahmedia, but on normal muslim girl students.
More bravery from the faith Fascists. Too bad we have so many people apologizing & wanting to "sit down & talk" with these heartless murderers. Anywhere else in the world they would be wiped away with a swift hand; not here though.
This appears to be a joint terror attack by BLA & Talibans from SSP LeJ commencing with attack of Quaid e Azam residency . Previously LeJ & BLA jointly killed hundreds of people in Mizan Chowk and Toghi Road. Both are a bunch of Begharaits.
In the coming days when FC will launch an Operation against the Miscreants then everyone will cry foul. When you throw stones at somebody then dont expect bunch of flowers from the other side then. What these female students have to do with anybody? . Killing innocents is the biggest form of Cowardliness.
Pakistan Army? You silent spectators. DO SOMETHING!
We do not want to see Pakistan as failure and destroyed country.
Heartless mindless religious violent bigots targeting innocent female students. Come on Pakistan, you got to stop this hook, line and sinker, drones or no drones, by your army and not by talks.
my prayers and condolences for the families of the victims.We are with you against these terrorists.
from an Indian.
We must immediately offer negotiations.
May be ET will again find some soft words for BLA
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, shame on BLA
TTP is against the education of female in Pakistan. This is one of the reason,s that members of the TTP mothers, wife's, sisters and daughters are illiterate, therefore, TTP wants that the entire females of Pakistan should remain illiterate.
Though literate mother's are the indication of an educated nation.
TTP wants that Pakistanis should remain illiterate and the entire nation should become the members of TTP leaders.
You heartless killers; targeting female students ! At least give the new government time to settle in and then try to solve the issues.
Perhaps they are responding to the discovery of five mutilated bodies a couple of days back. Both the terrorists and the establishment need to be reigned in. Let civilians take charge.