Security officials gather at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Quetta August 8, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
The blast took place just before the funeral prayers of SHO City Mohib Ullah - killed during a firing incident in Alamu Chowk, Quetta - commenced at the Police Lines mosque.
Provincial chief secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad confirmed that at least 30 people were dead and 62 wounded. 21 of the dead are known to be police officers. Others are yet to be identified, though the victims are said to include children.
"They are not Muslims. They are not humans," said Inspector
General Mushtaq Sukhera. "We have no other option but to fight against terrorists. We have made sacrifices and we will continue to do so and we will not bow down."
The funeral was attended by around 300 to 400 people, including the top police officials of the area. While DIG Operations and DSP died on the spot, IG Balochistan and CCPO survived the attack.
The police immediately cordoned off the area and rescue operation was started. Injured were shifted to the hospital.
A member of the bomb squad said that the suicide bomber was wearing a jacket packed with ball bearings and shrapnel. He tried to enter the mosque where senior officers lined up to offer prayers for their colleague.
On being stopped by police, the bomber detonated his explosives just outside the mosque, several witnesses said.
It was not yet clear how the bomber had passed through several other layers of tight security.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered instant aid for the victims. He also called the Balochistan chief minister and sought a report on the blast.
Meanwhile, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have claimed responsibility for the attack.
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@Ch. Allah Daad:
Punjabi Brotheran should have been in Pakistan those days rather than performing Umrah and siting in London, big talks with zero results will give access to the terrorists to sit in Parliament to make a plan how to takeover Islamabad...
@Ahmed Ali Khan: "@aaa: This is an Indian agenda to see Pakistan a secular country. It would always be an Islamic Pakistan even the whole world does not like it. Ameen."
Then its time to reconcile with the fact the people who commit, abet and encourage suicide bombings are also muslims. Cannot extend the logic both ways.
@True Indian: Pakistan, now, is at jeehad with itself!
@zakir shah:
Pakistan must change sides from the West to east the best for us is China & Russia Iran we are close and look after each Trade and fight the west backed redical militants
And have the Russians forgotten what you did to them in Afghanistan?
And where were the Afghan 'redical militants' trained and armed?
From all my brothers comment I think they dont know who are doing this and why Pakistan is full of Foreign agents they are paid in the name of Taliban or Al Quada and others they are foreign backed redical militants made by the west and are the generation of the West .and use us finger pointing each other base on sects.They know how to use and organize crime gang they use our neighboring countries Pakistan must change sides from the West to east the best for us is China & Russia Iran we are close and look after each Trade and fight the west backed redical militants Russia & China will help us to get rid of the west who are the base of all our problem Pakistan needs trade not Aid And as a free nation on self reliance base we must work simple as that .
@Talha Rizvi: @Maria: It is not really about Indians,is it?You are pained by the fact,that your dear brothers, the TTP,is being blamed(they did it,and confessed,and actually gloated about it.) Anyway, I don't see that what Indians are saying is much different from most of the other concerned Pakistanis,the ones that actually are shocked by this atrocity.Cospiracy theories ,and being paranoid doesn't help solve the problems. You need to stand by the majority of citizens,and call spade a spade.TTP is an evil monster that needs rooted out,whatever your feelings about it.
@Talha Rizvi: "I have rarely seen Pakistanis being happy on incidents in India but the Indians lack even the basic human empathy."
Really ????????
Do you not see comments from Pakistanis claiming that muslims cannot do it? Also, do you not see Pakistanis commenting in ET warning India (and Afghanistan) to look for the days when US forces shall vacate the region. What does this mean? It precisely means that Pakistan shall be sending more terrorists to India and Afghanistan after the US forces vacate the region. I have been hearing such comments in many of Pakistan's TV channels for the last two years, even from moderate anchors.
IK self professed policy on tackling TTP via silent negotiations is dividing the nation against a common enemy. It was pathetic to see on a channel today that KPK information minister refused to take the name of the TTP when he was asked by the compere if TTP is a terrorist organization.
If we cannot identify an enemy even at this stage and remain divided we don't need external enemies to destroy us. If anyone is close to PTI top leadership or IK and reading this I would humbly request them to try to convince him to not to divide the nation and not to legitimize TTP as a political party. IK will go down taking KPK and whole Pakistan along with him. He will not loose respect if he changes his policy, we always thought of my as a honest leader its time for him to let his ego go and accept that we need to deal with TTP united with a full force.
@ All fellows Just assumevthat the policemen took some little bribe and allowed to enter that Suicid Bomber ????? Wish our Security Agencies first themself become honest to thier duties and they would have not done any crime in uniform. Surely no such incidents will occure.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Unfortunately, your simple assertion is not supported by the facts. The ground realities are that all places other than Punjab suffer and leaders from Punjab have openly supported the terrorists.
@Rizvi, I had said "Pakistan is the successor state to the ideology of Muhammad Bin Qasim Mahmud of Ghazni Muhammad of Ghori Timur-e-lang Babar Aurangzeb Nadir Shah Ahmed shah Jinnah"
No I did not make up that allegation. Pakistan state's ideology eulogizes them and identifies with them. You have claimed them as your very own and praised their ideology. Your history books have made them hero. Your state has named missiles and army units after them. None of them were sons of the soil of present day Pakistan and were involved in violence against the people who lived in the territories that make present Pakistan.
I just stated what is a fact.
@Talha Rizvi Being emotional and cursing Indian who are critical, won't help.
@Talha Rizvi:
Dard hota hai na ?? Imagine if this incident was Indian sponsored and You get an response from Indain home ministry that it was just crackers went off??
To give you an prospective about what I am talking about you go and read article on Chaudhary Nissar's statement on 5 army official's shot on LOC.
About we getting something worst. We have been trying to stop this sort of activity in India specifically in Kashmir for which we have been criticized of being mass murderers by people like yourself.
Whatever it may be I personally don't support violence for any reason and I totally sympathize with the victims family. The reason why I was sarcastic is coz being a human it hurts me too when someone says incidents like mumbai attack, parliament attacks were inside job based on someone who might/might not have said someone like this which was quoted on an official document and to ignore numerous proof like existance of ajmal kasab, the communication recordings, inteligence reports. That hurts too.
@Talha Rizvi: I agree tell pakistanis to stop visiting and commenting HINDU,TOI, etc...........We know how u people rejoiced killing of indian soldiers............Shame on u people for calling others kafirs .......and giving certificate that they can be killed as they are non - muslims,,,,,
@Talha Rizvi:
I agree with you to a large extent. Some of the comments from Indian side lack empathy and are completely deplorable. This senseless killing cannot be justified or be made fun of by any sane human being.
..PM ordered instant aid for the victims...
Atleast for providing this Aid to the victims now and in the future, Pakistan should grow economically.
our police officers and armed forces are sacrificing their lives for us for our country, and these politician are only good for nothing,having security of 1000 people around them as if they are the only valuable assets to country,there is no need of peace talks with these terrorists,start a mission and clean pakistan from these cowards....
All will be well when US leaves Afghanistan....according to GHQ. Until then miti pao.
@Maria:
Well Maria go on with that sort of mind set and these Killings will never stop. I can prove it to here based on the legitimate documents available. however, I don't want to repeat my self again and again in front of each and every Pakistani. Even if I prove it to you tommorow you will come again and repeat the same thing which you have said on this board. If you really want to know who is responsible for these killings in pakistan then all you got to do is go to wiki page and pick up incedents real incedents and official statements from pakistan and Indian news paper and compare them you will get the answer.
Perhaps the people should take up arms and get rid of LeJ and TTP terrorists themselves. Clearly the government needs more time and more blood before it can justify any action.
@Water Bottle: @Raj - USA: @SKChadha: @Babloo: @WTF: @Punjabi from other side: @vasan: @Hedgefunder: @Pradhan: @True Indian: Gloating on the deaths of innocent Shame on you. I believe Indians should be banned from ET and Dawn as there sole purpose is to malign, criticize and spread their lies and hatred. By the way those who gloat on the misfortune of others are monsters who shall soon get something worse. I have rarely seen Pakistanis being happy on incidents in India but the Indians lack even the basic human empathy. @ ET: If this rebuttal is not published than I'll boycott your site. What kind of situation is this when Indians are free to curse and malign Pakistan and even Islam but they are not even given a proper answer.
Imran Khan is responsible for these losses. He has not let a national resolve to emerge and fight these people. He has been prancing around the issue just gather support for himself. At the cost of lives.
I think you guys should talk to Chaudhry Nisar instead of crying for some crackers went off. Get up and Move On.
Some are saying people who did this 'cannot be muslims'. The issue is that the people who did this feel exactly the same way about you and say "you are not true muslims'. May be , both who you are right or both of you are wrong.
Can anyone tell me whether the killed were mostly punjabis or pashtoons or balochis? This is important so that we understand who was behind it? Taleban or balochi seperatists.
@Kahn: Lol..useless reply. They are locals and muslims. Muslims are no angels.
I want to wish my sunni brothers EID Mubarak.
Eid of 50 families ruined. Rip brave policemen.
@Water Bottle: The glee that so many Indian commentators here demonstrate is reprehensible. Pakistanis and readers should understand how the killing of innocents seems to please the Indians. If they want to talk about terrorism, they should know that most terrorism in Pakistan originates from India either directly or through its proxy state of Afghanistan. As for decades of terrorism, India knows only too well how to keep terrorizing the innocent Kashmiris who continue to suffer. Thanks for wishing Pakistan good luck fighting terrorism. The nation has been doing it since 1947 and it will succeed in rooting out these cowards. By the way, I don't wish for any innocent loss of life in any country, India included.
My heart breaks when I hear such news. May Allah rest their souls in peace any make them enter jannah. Ameen
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Really? How about doing something about Lashkar e Jhangvi which roams free, just to start?
When will Pakistan lose the habit of surrendering and start fighting back?
@salman: these are phonies dressed up as Muslims who are killing each other.......they have false belief
@aaa:
This is an Indian agenda to see Pakistan a secular country. It would always be an Islamic Pakistan even the whole world does not like it. Ameen.
@True Indian: We feel sorry that our ancestors committed blunder by making this country. Islam is a great religion but today's muslims have left the teachings of Islam. My mother belongs to Sharanpur (RURKI),my father was from Gangoh(ALIGARH) and my wife's father (FATHER IN LAW) is from Kakori( LUCKNOW). I feel proud that my parents belonged to these great cities. As far as Im concerned I belong to nowhere. Im still a mohajir seen everywhere with suspected eyes and considered to be an Indian agent.
Now where are these human right agencie who only protest for terrorists when government try to finish terrorists no body protest for the deaths of army police or any other security agency
Of course, please blame this attack on RAW, COOKED, ASTERIX, OBELIX, TINTIN, SHERLOCK HOLMES, BATMAN, SUPERMAN...etc. but the Taliban?? Oh no no!!! How can they carry out such attacks? They are innocent babies who really care for Pakistan
The Prime Minister in Saudi Arabia performing Umra and praying for those being killed everyday every day...
@SKChadha: You say: "It is time to remember Mahatma Gandhi’s words “Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan”?"
This is blasphemous !!!!!!!!!!
@Kahn: But They are and when they press the button to blast they loudly say "Allah o Akbar" They are Muslims and Trained by Muslims no matter who funds them!
@Subhan Tariq:
"Terrorism has become an industry now."
Hehehe.
terrorism was an industry in Pakistan since decades. back in the day, this product was being exported, now you have home consumption.
Good luck fighting it.
@Kahn Yes they cannot be Muslims, but if they appear before you then perhaps you will kiss his hands and also offer salat after him..........................
Kudos to all that are saying that they are the agents of RAW and that they are not Muslims. There is neither treatment nor cure for this ailment.
Lets negotiate with these terrorists. They are our brother you know........
@Kahn: keep telling that to yourself, my friend its time to wake up
Sorrow due to Quetta blast is so overwhelming that I have cancelled all my Eid-celebrations in respect of sad/undue demise of such a large number of our protectors
Today a good friend and my close relative was martyred in this attack, he was a DSP. He fought against Baloch separatists for four years and escaped from their custody when he was caught by them during an operation . He was a true defender of Pakistan. Sayed Hamid Kazmi will be missed by our whole village. May his soul rest in peace.
Our security agencies have already surrendered to terrorism. Our politicians will blame the drone strikes for the Taliban attacks rather than accepting their failure.
America, please expand the drone strikes to all areas of Pakistan.
Now distribute 5-5 lac rupees to each of them. Its the only solution our leaders have.
The rulers are sleeping... they don't care, or bother, as their own children are safe in palaces in london and dubai... The government has lost its control... May Allah help and protect the masses.
How many times I would come here and see the name of Fayyaz Sumbul describing the victims, today he too became the victim. If these high officials are not safe then forget about Hazara and rest of the vulnerable population. For God sake and the sake of your own family, go after them hard and completely eliminate them.
Pakistan is the successor state to the ideology of Muhammad Bin Qasim Mahmud of Ghazni Muhammad of Ghori Timur-e-lang Babar Aurangzeb Nadir Shah Ahmed shah Jinnah
What do you expect ?
Unbelievable; How come they penetrated the police network. Must be some inside from police allowed him or they were totally incompetent
TTP and other terrorist organizations are coming up with newer or more lethal strategies faster than the security apparatus.Murder a random policeman,an then attack his funeral services where there are bound to be a collection of security personnel and higher officials.
@Kahn:
Whoever is behind this attack will most definitely be a muslim
@Kahn: You are absolutely wrong whoever behind this attack can only be a jihadi muslim
With such a high risk situation and after so many similar blasts, I fail to understand why would the whole leadership of Police will gather at one place. If we can't prevent the blast, but we can minimize the damage as a result of these.
next target will be kpk
It is time to remember Mahatma Gandhi's words "Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan"?
@Ali:
Or may be they were heard? Did the Punjab CM not say go do this kind of stuff in other provinces?
Would it KILL YOUR EGO ET to say these guys were MARTYRED?? but no i forgot u have to issue the news in a hurry.. patheatic journalism without a cent of morality
Bangladesh and Afghanistan are becoming better than Pakistan in terms of security and economy day by day. In one way Pakistan is responsible for the state in which it is in.
One thing is certain though- Pakistan has internal and external enemies galore!
@Umer: Nawaz Sharif haven't stopped anyone to fight terrorists. The fate of other provinces is in the hands of local middle class politicians. These provinces and their people have no excuse. Therefore please don't blame Nawaz Sharif or Punjab. Blaming Punjabis is nothing but dishonesty of highest grade.
I am thinking after listening these type of news either we should celebrate our Eid or should take stand for our brothers and sisters ........ Guide me????????
One thing I have learned in Pakistan.
Personal security, security and security.
As soon as one will forget the issue of security even for a moment, with the blink of any eye, either the suicude bomber will explode a bomb, or some target killer will kill him.
By condoling the deaths of the deceased people, terrorism is not going to come to an end.
What are security agencies are doing?
This is a million dollar question.
Retire everyone of security forces including army who is over 35 and give our fate into the hands of young officers. These brave young men and women are our only hope. Seniors and older dudes have become impotent and lethargic. They are more interested in their perks and are scared to get blame of doing something. I bet you, they will never protect us.
Why is it happening only outside Punjab? What is Nawaz Sharif doing about it?
No more sorry or sadness. Enough is enough. Our security forces cannot protect themselves, how come they would protect us? 8 kilograms of explosives was brought into the high security zone and no one noticed. Those who are alive, do not deserve to be in the force.
Let god bless Pakistan to become a Liberal Secular Society. Liberal Secular Zindabad
yeah...muslims of subcontinent left their own religion n started to follow arabic culture..this is wat islam teaches...every section in islam assumes themselves prime n superior...there is no word humanity exits in islam...sub continent is home of buddhists,hindus,sikhs etc...follow up ur own religion for peaceful life...think abt present life before thinking abt life after death
innocent civilians better understand what to do and what not to do.allah help them always.
@Kahn: "Whoever is behind these attacks can not be a muslim." Yeah. Time to declare Pakistan a "non-muslim" state!!
please speak up "respected" government, who is behind this? just put an end to this brutal and ruthless killing of our beloved companions, our brothers. Can't absorb it any more.
May Allah rest their soul in peace. Government should develop an effective policy against terrorism. The more delay more the deaths. May Allah give these terrorist some sense and may Allah save muslim ummah from sedition. amin
Yet another victory for Taliban and extremist mindsets. DIG Fayyaz Sumbal was targeted because he spearheaded many operations againts LeJ in Balochistan.
martial law with full force will only work. democracy stunt has failed repeatedly.
Nobody will even blink. The ministers and bureaucrats will explain their failure in long worn out expressions. This is the era of illiterate and the "Buzdils". The solution offered will be to buy more bullet proof cars.
@Abdullah: agreed along with KPK CM
For pathetic state of Pakistan the main reason is that when they kill in India or Afganistan they are mujahedin but when snake bits its own master than they are terrorists.
These people need to be stopped... all sympathies with the shaeed police officers!
This is so sad and heartbreaking.Something serious has to be done by the government to control the law and order situation in the country.
Cheif minister balochistan & interior minister ch nisar should resign on this... If they cant control the situation they hv no right to rule...
@Kahn: Whoever is behind these attacks can not be a muslim. So why there is hue and cry if non muslims (drones) are killing these_''can not be a muslim''.
Dear PM,
While you are doing much for electricity and we appreciate that, please open your eyes and turn to this problem asap. Without law and order, we will not feel safe, no one will invest. Stop the dialogue mantra and try for once to crush these TTP, LeJ, BLA snakes. Break their backbone and then bring them to table.
I think it has more to do with culture in balochistan, I can spot a turban wearing guy among the crowd and others in civilian clothes. How can you allow such people to be present when high profile security officials have gathered at a place for something that is related only to police department. Police and security officials need to be tough and suspicious of everything in their surroundings in this atmosphere in balochistan. But then it comes down to culture that the people in that region practice which they also bring at their official places which they should not be doing.
@Kahn: haha ridiculous sir. do u still think muslims are not killing muslims. ninety nine percent of suicide attacks are being carried out by muslims. wake up sir
Until new elite of Pakistan will not give top priority to curb the terrorists nothing will resolve. Instead taking "PUNGAS" on LOC or in Kashmir divert your attentions to eradicate this menace of extremism. Mr PM if you consider yourself remotely controlled than better resign than getting all the dirt of failure.
Pakistan has the world's fifth biggest army. The provincial and federal governments must ask the army to launch an all-out operation against all extremists and eliminate them. This is the only solution.
RIP! Brave Men! We need to stay strong!
it seems that the PRAYERS of Nawaz Sharif are NOT heard in Makkah.
@Kahn: when will our nation come out of denial. these are muslims killing each other in name of islam
Still go ahead and kill Indian soldiers across LOC as this will gain support to Pak army, supposedly. Pathetic.
This is not a concern for Pakistanis no matter how many innocent people are killed, Our concern is Palestinians, Burmese, and Kashmiris, and our biggest concern is Aafia Siddiqui.
Yes ! More chaos, even in the Holy month ! Such is the state of affairs in this Nation ! Has the Govt or the Army got any ideas or plans as to, how they are going to solve this problem for its people ? Sadly Not, as it seems that lives are cheap in Pakistan ! Where is the Ghairat, when your people are being slaughtered daily ?
it's time to make our intelligence agencies accountable for continuous failures!!!!
Advance shame on ruling elites because I know nothing will happen after this tragedy but hollow statements.Deep condolences to the families of those who died serving their country. Shame on those who link this barbarism to war on terror.This killing is because_there is no war on terrorism.
@Kahn: Whoever is behind these attacks cannot be a HUMAN either, forget about religion.
Tragic... But pity on the nation when we used to say that they are not Muslims and forget everything within two days after every terrorist activity. And in fact lot of us are happy to hear this kinda news and also appreciate their achievements because we believe in their ideology and want to be a government like 2nd Caliph whether this country exist on the world map or not.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered instant aid for the victims." PM failed to announce any action against the killers.Stiil not enough people killed to convince our rulers to take action against terrorists.
It is more important to for our PM Nawaz to be in Pakistan and devise an anti-terrorism policy rather than performing an Umra.
@Kahn: Irony is that those attacking Janaza are not only Muslims but they consider all other sects as non Muslim.More ironic is that our rulers are willing to let taliban kill more people but would not take any action against them.
@Khan totally agree
Indian agencies are sending terrorist from afghanistan. We must do something or just sit and keep watching them killing hundred of pakistanis everyday..
@ Kahn Strange and obsolete logic. The banned Jihadi Outfits have always been found responsible for such acts of terror.
Nawaz Shareef, where are you???
@Kahn: u mean pakistan is not a muslim country....
Has anyone heard anything from the PM who promised stability and peace? Oh! I forgot, he is busy making arrangements for economic explosion...
Whoever is behind these attacks can not be a muslim.
Pathetic law and order situation. Terrorism has become an industry now. Its going to be extremely hard to get rid of it.