7 killed, 22 injured in suicide attack 
7 killed, 22 injured in suicide attack 
Saadullah Akhtar
Balochistan

QUETTA: An explosive laden vehicle of the suicide bomber rammed into the convoy of the security convoy at Quetta-Sibi Highway killing 07 men, including six personnel of Rapid Response Group Commando injuring 22 others on Wednesday morning.

QUETTA: An explosive laden vehicle of the suicide bomber rammed into the convoy of the security convoy at Quetta-Sibi Highway killing 07 men, including six personnel of Rapid Response Group Commando injuring 22 others on Wednesday morning.

The Balochistan Constabulary (BC) Elite Force RRG Commandos were on way to the Quetta City when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive laden vehicle with the truck carrying security personnel near the railway crossing at Quetta-Sibi Highway in the outskirts of the provincial capital.

At least 07 people, including six security personnel, were killed on the spot and 22 sustained injuries in the fresh attack on security forces.

It was major blow to the security efforts to fight terror in Quetta city as the suicide bomber hit against after an interval.

Though there is no official confirmation about the group that committed crime against the humanity, it is generally believed that a Taliban group is involved in suicide attack. The national media had also indicated to this point of Taliban involvement in suicide attack on the truck carrying security personnel. Only one civilian is said be among those killed in the suicide attack. Two motorcycles and a tractor were also destroyed in the attack in Quetta on Wednesday morning, police sources said.

“The vehicle was carrying up to 70 to 80kg explosives that hit the Forces’ convoy at Quetta Sibi Highway some 14km far from the provincial capital.” CM Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri confirmed while talking to media at Trauma Center.

Rescue workers and Law Enforcement Agencies rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies and injured to Civil Hospital, CMH and BMC Hospital complex where majority of injured were being treated in burn wards. The spot was cordoned-off by the security forces and blocked the highway for traffic in order to preserve evidence.

“Though we have been living in conflict-zone and hostile agencies sitting in Afghanistan fueling terrorism in Balochistan, sectarian terrorism is causing disturbance here but we will dealt with them strictly as we purged them in past.” Nawab Zehri added.

Hours later armed men riding on motorbike opened firing on a car killing one Counter Terrorism Department (CTD)’s Fencing Expert Abdul Salam at Qambrani Road and fled.

“We can’t confirm that both attacks carried-out by one group, police have found six 9mm bullet cover from the spot and the picture would be cleared after forensic investigation.” Acting IG Police Balochistan Ayub Qureshi said.

So far no group has formally claimed responsibility for both the attacks but Sectarian groups remained involved in attacking security personnel.

“Forensic team has been called from Lahore and they will reach tomorrow, after collecting DNA samples, vehicle analysis and other action we will proceed further in investigation,” Ayub Qureshi added.

Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Kahn Zehri chaired a high-level security meeting following suicide attack on BC elite force. Chief Secretary Balochistan, IG Police and Provincial Minister attended the meeting.

Applauding the sacrifice security forces committing in war against terror CM Balochistan said, our forces combating terrorists in forefront and we will purged the menace of terrorism. He directed the authorities to review the security arrangement across the province and more strong steps must be taken.

Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said, a truck carrying BC elite commandos moved towards the city following Security SOPs and a security vehicle was escorting them when the suicide bomber riding his vehicle hit them.

“Such coward acts can’t back us from our war against terrorists, our security forces are capable of fighting the scourge of terrorism and we will win the war against coward enemy.” Sarfraz Bugti added.

Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa accompanied with IG FC visited Civil Hospital and expressed their sympathies with the injured and martyred security personnel.

Late the CM Balochistan, Commander Southern Command, IG FC, IG Police, Provincial Ministers and other officials participated in the funeral and offered condolence for the martyred soldiers.

There was an emergency in the major hospitals to deal with the injured and most of the doctors and surgeons were found present along with their staff to deal all the cases of emergency.