Suicide blast in Quetta claims 13 lives, injuries dozens

QUETTA: A bomb blast at a Balochistan National Party rally in Quetta resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to 31 people.

According to details, a blast took place near the rally venue at the end of a BNP rally at Shahwani Stadium on Sariab Road in the capital of Balochistan.

After the blast, a contingent of police and security forces reached the spot from where the injured were shifted to the Civil Hospital.

Balochistan National Party spokesperson Sajid Tareen said that 14 of our workers were martyred in the blast.

As soon as Akhtar Mengal’s car passed by, a loud explosion occurred. Police say that a loud explosion happened as the rally ended, the cause of which is being determined.

According to Civil Hospital sources, 14 people have been killed in the blast so far, while the condition of five of the 20 injured is critical.

The injured include two leaders of the Balochistan National Party, including a former member of the assembly, and police personnel.

On the other hand, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the Shahwani Stadium blast and said that the blast is a cowardly act of enemies of humanity, miscreants are playing with the blood of innocent citizens.

He said that the evil intentions of the terrorists will be foiled at all costs. The Chief Minister directed the provision of the best medical facilities to the injured and also ordered a high-level investigation into the incident.

Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti submitted a report to the investigation committee soon and directed the security agencies to arrest the responsible persons immediately.