Under trial: Ziarat Residency attack suspect dies in hospital

The suspect, Nasir Khan, was hospitalized four days ago for treatment of ‘serious health problems’

QUETTA:

A suspect facing trial for the 2013 bombing of the residency of the Quaid-e-Azam in Ziarat has died of ‘natural causes’ at the jail ward of the Provincial Sandeman Hospital Sunday morning.

The outlawed group, Balochistan Liberation Army, had claimed responsibility for the attack on Ziarat Residency on August 15, 2013. The historical structure where Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent his last days was destroyed in the attack. Since then, the building has been rebuilt and rehabilitated since.

The suspect, Nasir Khan, resident of Shahrag village of Harnai district, was hospitalized four days ago for treatment of ‘serious health problems’, according to the police surgeon. He died at the jail ward Sunday morning, he added. The body has been handed over to heirs after medico-legal formalities.

An FIR was registered against Nasir Khan and his accomplices under the Explosives Act, and Sections 302 and 324 of the Penal Code at the Ziarat police station. A year after the devastating attack, security officials claimed that all the attackers had been arrested.

Ziarat, a popular tourist resort, is located about 80 kilometres southeast of Quetta. The residency building was constructed in 1892, and served as residence for British officers during their visits to Ziarat. In 1948, the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah moved to Ziarat and stayed at the building for two months.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2015.