8 Hazaras among 19 killed in Quetta suicide bombing

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): At least eight Hazara community members were among 19 people killed in a suicide attack in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.

The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for Friday’s bombing in Quetta, the provincial capital. The group said it collaborated with the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ).

Nearly 50 others were injured in the bombing at the Hazarganji fruit and vegetable market in Quetta. Elsewhere in the restive province, a motorcycle blast rocked the border town of Chaman, officials said.

The motorbike blast in Chaman targeted a vehicle carrying the Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. One person was killed and  dozen others, including two FC personnel, wounded.

In Quetta attack, the suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of Hazara community members who loading their vehicles. “As result of the attack, 19 people lost their lives and 48 were injured,” Home Minister Ziaullah Langove said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema earlier put the death toll at 18 with 30 injured. Police confirmed it was a suicide attack, saying that the bomber’s head and other parts had been found.

After the attack, the Hazara community rallied on the main road and later converged on the Quetta Press Club where they chanted slogans against the government.

They minority members what they called the ongoing ‘genocide’ of their community and stressed proper implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) without any discrimination/

While demanding the arrest of elements involved in this inhuman act, they reminded the state of its responsibility to provide security to the people.

mud