QUETTA: As many as five people were killed and over 20 were wounded after a suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of an Eid bazaar in Aliabad area of Hazara Town, in Quetta on Saturday evening.
“People were busy in shopping near the intersection of Eid Bazaaar in Aliabad when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a huge explosion,” SHO Hazara Town Azher Hussain told The Express Tribune.
“At least five people have so far been killed while more than a dozen others wounded,” he confirmed.
The official said that most of the victims belonged to the Hazara Shia community.
The dead bodies and the injured were shifted to Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment.
“Four dead bodies and several injured were brought here,” a doctor at BMC said.
“At least 20 injured, including a female and five children, were brought here,” medics at CMH told the reporters.
A rescue worker warned that the toll may rise. “Children and women were also among the casualties.”
The area has been cordoned off by police and security forces. Dozens of ambulances and rescue workers were also rushed to the site soon after the blast.
Police said that a temporary bazaar had been set up ahead of Eid festivities. “More than a hundred people were present in the bazaar when blast occurred,” a police official in Hazara Town said.
A spokesperson Balochistan government said the blast, the second on Saturday, is a conspiracy to disturb the peace in Quetta. “Government condemned the killings and directed the law enforcing agencies to investigate the incident.”
The President and Prime Minister have also condemned the blast, while the chief minister has sought a report on the incident.
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@Troubled: Don't you know that the cowards who perpetrated this crime were probably based across the border in Afghanistan where they are supported by anti state agencies including Indian RAW. None other than US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel mentioned that much of the violence along the Western border involves Indian involvement in Afghanistan bases. While this goes on, PTI only carries out nonsensical dharna activity instead of supporting the country.
@Troubled No point in blaming the army. Most Pakistanis subscribe to extremist views. Shia slaughter continues.
Cowards. I am not speaking of the terrorists. I am speaking of the politicians and the men in uniform, who under whatever illusion of strategic depth or being a thorn in India's side do not have the courage or the moral fortitude to protect the citizens of Pakistan. To you I say shame.
Saddened by the state of affairs. I also condemn this barbaric attack. But being in the govenrment these people should show more action and less words to bring justice and peace in this country.
Shame, utter shame to kill innocents on Eid. Those who planned and helped in the attack must be hanged in public but if we resort to investigation and court proceedings then none will be penalized as it happened many times in Pakistan. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Believe me when I say this that effects of Syria and Iraq will come to Afghanistan and Pakistan next. Unless pakistan's army gets rid of the final extremist who may harbour sectarian or terrorist views, I say pakistan is another Syria in the making only because it's a victim of terrorism and failed politics. I feel sorry for this country. I also fear for the Turks, they have ISIS terrorists threatening to take over Istanbul. Muslims killing Muslims, what type of ummah is this ?! And then we start screaming when Israelis bomb Muslims in Palestine !!!! May ALLAH grant the deceased jannah Ameen