Four women attacked with acid in Quetta

Masked men on motorbikes used syringes to throw acid on the victims' faces outside a jewellery shop.

QUETTA: Unidentified men threw acid on four women outside a jewellery shop in Kili Kamalo area, an outskirt of Quetta, on Monday.

The masked men used syringes to throw acid on the faces of the victims, identified as Bibi Safia, Zulikha Bibi, Noor Jahaan and Ayisha Bibi.

The assailants, who were on two motorcycles, managed to flee the scene of crime.

“The women were burnt three, six, four and 11 per cent and all burns are second degree, which normally do not cause any scars after treatment,” Saryab Superintendent Police (SP) Imran Qureshi told The Express Tribune, quoting doctors at Bolan Medical Complex, where the women have been shifted for treatment.

“The victims, in their statements, had said they had no enmity with anyone,” Qureshi said. He further added that the victim who received the most burn injuries seemed to be the prime target.

“It is premature to comment whether any religious fanatic group is behind this attack or the incident took place due to a family dispute,” the SP said. However, he added that he could not rule out the involvement of religious fanatic groups.

Qureshi, under whose supervision Quetta Capital City Police Officer has constituted an investigation team, said that he recorded the statements of shopkeepers and passers-by.

“There were dozens of women present in the market, but the culprits targeted specific people outside a jewellery shop,” he told The Express Tribune.

Quetta Deputy Commissioner Abdul Lateef has said that the police have started an investigation and will trace the culprits. “Security in markets and bazaars has already been beefed up,” he added.

This is not the first incident of women being attacked with acid in Quetta. In September 2011, four female teachers were attacked with acid. No group claimed responsibility for the attack but the school where they taught had received threats.  The police are yet to arrest any culprit in the case.