A man holds picture of his relative, a victim of Mastung bomb attack on a bus, beside the covered body, during a funeral in Quetta January 24, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS
On January 21, Shia pilgrims were killed when a suicide bomber hit a bus making its way through the Pakistan-Iran highway in Mastung. Banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed responsibility of the attack.
The killings triggered mass protests in the country and the Hazara community refused to bury their dead. However, they ended their two-day long sit-in after Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar assured them of launching a targeted operation against the Mastung blast perpetrators.
The funeral prayer for the dead was offered today and their bodies will be laid to rest in Alamdar Road area which is predominantly a Hazara neighbourhood.
Attack
Two buses with 103 pilgrims onboard were en route to Quetta from Taftan, a town in Chagai district that shares a border with Iran.
The bomber struck one of the buses when it reached Dirangar village in Mastung, some 45 kilometres west of Quetta.
A BDS official said around 100 kilograms of explosive materials were used in the blast.
According to witnesses, the bus was reduced to a heap of mangled metal, while four other vehicles – including two mobile vans of Balochistan Levies, were also damaged in the attack. Windows of the second bus were shattered by the thud of the blast.
COMMENTS (19)
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@Aamir: @Aysha M: The level of comfort in your tone tells that you have not faced such a tragedy.
I didnt make up a story, just to support my comment, thanks though for reminding that we as a nation have lost the ability to believe and empathize and we have chosen to fiercely judge and judge and judge
@Aysha M: Do you think they are happy in doing such a thing. Just we cannot imagine their pain suffering with this horrific incident sitting in open air in such cold weather with their departed dear one's for getting what the 'Justice' which is scarce in their and our homeland.
Ayesha M...They are actually delaying the next owns burials....
Pakistan is a mess. After 9-11, this region is torn apart. And Sheeple can't handle the truth.
We are destined to repeat the same mistakes of the past. This war will go on forever.
@Aysha M: The level of comfort in your tone tells that you have not faced such a tragedy. A country where negotiations with blatant killers is a viable option and you may also be supporting it, no body bothers to check this logic with Islamic principles which says killer must be killed. And when it comes to protest, we take out our yard stick and start measuring the extent and environment of protest. The other option for Hazaras is to stop this protest, bury the dead and start a militant retaliation against the Pakistani nation in general. In this way, without complaining, we will not only listen to them, but in fact look forward to NEGOTIATE with them.
Them protesting and delaying the burial a little is still a sign that they have some hope that someone will wake up and listen to them and provide justice, some hope in the system and institutions.... it is a show of great patience... if we did not tackle this menace together as a nation then they will have no choice except to take responsibility themselves.
@baloch southall this is not neighbouring countries but clearly Saudis interference just like they are doing it in Syria and Iraq. We will ask the same countries to help us who have consulates in Afghanistan.
@Aysha M: Agreed but it is the last option the victims families could used,
And as usual we have lost sight of the article itself and started a fight amongst ourselves. Seriously !!!
@Aysha M: Ulma are there in Quetta , they know much better than us ....
@Aamir: What makes you think that my family and loved ones have not been a victim? However you like to justify this reaction of families of the victim, it is simply not appropriate to delay burial. Please understand that this is not how it should be done.
@Aysha M: Why there always a BUT with condolence when it comes to terrorist activities.Sometimes, people say protest BUT do not block the road. Others feel sad BUT do not protest at all. I think you failed to understand, this is genocide, something you can only understand when God forbade your family becomes a victim. Don't you see this is the only way our governments and us, listen.
Baloch insurgency and sectarian violence has peaked since many of the consulates by our "friendly neighbours" are operating in Afg. They spent a lot of money and have gone too far in hurting pakistan in general and balochistanin particular. We owe you another one dear neighbours. Be on your toes and watch your back.
@Voice Of D.I.Khan: My heart goes out to all the families, it is most unfortunate but that does not mean we disrespect the dead. Please understand that there are reasons for instructions to bury the dead at the earliest
@Aysha M: And isn't delaying justice is in direct contradiction to the Islamic practices and principles.... ?????????????????????
Deeply sorry for your loss. But delaying burial is in direct contradiction to the Islamic practices and principles. This approach to exert pressure on the government to bring perpetrators to justice is gross injustice to the dead. I hope this tradition which has gained strength in the recent past is discontinued. May they rest in peace Allah bless them all ameen
What a shame that we have stooped this low. Shame and sadness beyond words.