Blast martyrs 6 cops, wounds 20 in Quetta

QUETTA (92 News) – The terrorists have on rammed an explosive-laden car into a police truck in the provincial capital’s Sibbi Phattak area, killing at least seven people including police personnel. As per details, the attack targeted a truck carrying police personnel on the city’s main Saryab Road on Wednesday morning, killing seven people including six police officials on the spot and wounding more than 20 others. Following the explosion, security forces and rescue officials reached the spot and shifted the bodies and injured people to local hospital for medical assistance. Security forces cordoned the area off and started investigation into the incident. Superintendent of Police (Security), Javed Iqbal Garshin said that a suicide bomber hit his explosive-laden vehicle with a police truck. He said the police truck caught fire and the arms carried by the police personnel started firing automatically. Talking to media, provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said those attacked were "elite" officers. "The car was going as per routine and it was hit. It appears to be a vehicle borne attack, and we are still identifying whether it was by a suicide bomber or planted explosives," said Bugti. Bugti said: “It was a suicide blast, adding that the people of Balochistan are fighting this war on the frontline.” Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province and lies about 100 km (60 miles) east of the border with Afghanistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack. Balochistan has, however, increasingly come under attack from groups such as the TTP, the Islamic State (IS) and others. Baluchistan province has long been the scene of an insurgency against the state. They also accuse the central government of discrimination. In another incident, some unidentified persons shot dead a Police Inspector on Qambrani Road in Quetta on Wednesday. Police officials said that the police inspector was attacked when he was on his way to office. Talking to media persons, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said such cowardly acts cannot deter the government's resolve, and the war on terror will continue till complete elimination of the menace. Bugti said no threat or information was received about today’s tragic incident. Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have strongly deplored the suicide blast in Quetta. They prayed for the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families. The prime minister said such type of cowardly acts cannot deter the resolve of the nation against terrorism. He directed the authorities concerned to provide best medical facilities to the injured people. Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri also strongly condemned the terror attack. The other leaders who condemned the attack included Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir and Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb.