QUETTA:
At least 14 people lost their lives and another 35 were injured in a powerful explosion near a public demonstration of the National Baluchistan Party (BNP) in Quetta on Tuesday night.
The explosion took place near the Shahwani stadium shortly after the conclusion of a meeting held to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Sardar Attaullah Mengal. Health officials of the Quetta Civil Hospital confirmed the victims.
Police officials said the explosion occurred near the place shortly after the event ended and that the initial reports suggested that he could have attacked the convoy of the bnp chief, Akhtar Mengal, who remained safe.
The security forces were quickly sealed from the area, while rescue teams transferred the injured to the hospitals, where it was reported that several were in critical condition.
BNP spokesman Sajid Tareen said that 13 party workers were killed in the attack, adding that the explosion occurred just when the Akhtar Mengal vehicle passed. Researchers have begun research on the nature of the explosion to determine if it was caused by an FDI or a suicide bomber.
Baluchistan’s prime minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, describing him as an attempt to destabilize the province. He directed the officials to provide the best medical care to the injured and ordered an exhaustive investigation.
A special committee has been formed to present a report on the incident, while security has hardened Quetta after the explosion.
