explosion
QUETTA
At least four people were killed and 12 others wounded in a blast that ripped through Rakhni Bazar in Balochistan’s Barkhan area on Sunday. Barkhan Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Najeeb Pandarani confirmed that four people had been killed as a result of a blast in Barkhan. He added that the explosion took place when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted on a motorcycle, exploded in Rakhni Bazaar when the area was crowded. The blast damaged several cars, motorcycles and shops, said the police.
Soon after the blast, a heavy contingent of security forces reached the incident area and cordoned it off to carry out an initial investigation. Deputy Commissioner Barkhan Abdul Khosa also confirmed casualties.
Among the injured were also included two little girls. The dead and injured were shifted to the Civil Hospital. Hospital sources said that the condition of the injured was stated to be critical. Police said they were still investigating the nature of the blast. The security forces have cordoned off the area.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned a blast in Barkhan, Balochistan province which resulted in loss of precious lives. The president and the prime minister expressed their deep grief over the loss of lives and expressed condolences with the bereaved families.
They also prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls and for the early recovery of the injured, President Secretariat and PM Office media wings said in their separate press releases. The prime minister summoned a report from the chief minister and inspector general of police over the incident.
The president also stressed upon expediting efforts to completely eliminate terrorists. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a report of the incident from Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and the inspector-general of police (IG).
The premier also directed to ensure the best medical facilities for those wounded in the blast. “The terrorists will not be able to escape from the punishment,” stressed the PM. The prime minister also directed for the provision of best medical treatment to the injured.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Barkhan district of Balochistan. He said terrorists have no religion or nation, they are brutal beasts in human form.
Former president and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari while condemning the incident asked the federal and provincial government to bring all the criminals involved in this act of terrorism to justice.
He expressed his sympathy and condolences to the families of those who were martyred in the blast. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has condemned the blast and directed the authorities to take all possible steps to arrest the culprits.
“Those who shed the blood of innocent people are enemies of humanity,” he added. Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi also condemned the bomb blast in Barkhan area and expressed his sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
He said the Punjab government fully shared the grief and sorrow of those who have lost their near and dear ones. — DNA
