QUETTA: The death toll in a targeted suicide attack on a police van has risen as a woman injured in the blast succumbed to her injuries. In contrast, 27, including 23 police officers, were reportedly injured.
Police shared an update on the death toll and said the injured woman died during treatment. Meanwhile, the hospital management said that most of the injured were out of danger.
In the first statement, the law enforcement agency said that the target of the explosion was a police car. They said the wounded police officers and civilians were taken to the nearest hospital.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the blast site as soon as the incident was reported. The bomb disposal squad was also requested for help.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Quetta Ghulam Azfar Mahesar said in a media interview that the blast was a suicide attack as they found the remains of a suicide bomber near the crime scene. According to him, the police car overturned due to the explosion and fell into the ravine.
Sharing details of casualties and civilian cars hit, DIG Mehsar said that a policeman was martyred due to being crushed under the truck when it fell into a ravine. He also says that about 20 police officers and four civilians were injured. The health of two police officers is serious, he added.
According to the DIG, three vehicles, including a police truck and two nearby cars, were damaged in the blast.
He said the police car was carrying police personnel deployed for the safety of polio workers for the continued drive. He additionally stated that around 20-25 kilograms of explosives were used in the attack.
Inspector General Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Sheikh said, “terrorists threw a gutless attack on police forces.”
He said such attacks would not demoralize the police.
“Protecting people’s lives and property is our job. Our self-confidence is high, and our resolve is tough,” the IGP said.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, while condemning the attack, shared that he had summoned a report on the incident from the Balochistan government.
The country’s security czar said the blast targeted a police group.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Alvi condemn the attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an instant inquiry into the matter and issued commands to offer the best medical care to the injured.
“The polio workers are doing their responsibility to eliminate this disease polio without any fear for their lives. The complete eradication of polio is between the urgencies of the government,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.
He further stated that the evil elements would continue to fail to stop the polio eradication campaign because the Pakistani nation and the LEA will not allow their efforts to succeed.
Meanwhile, President Alvi stated grief over the loss of life.
“Children are our precious national wealth and future. We are strongminded to keep children safe from diseases like polio,” he said, pledging to continue efforts to eradicate polio until it is removed from the country. The President also paid tribute to the police and polio workers and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.
