QUETTA: At least twenty people were martyred among eight Hazara community members and one FC soldier after a suicide blast ripped through a convoy of Hazara vegetable vendors at Quetta’s Hazara Ganji Market on Friday morning.

According to Police, a group vegetable vendors’ belonged to ethnic Hazara community were targeted in a latest sectarian violence against the ethnic community in the provincial capital on Friday morning when they entered inside the Hazar Ganji market,

“A suicide bomber detonated his explosive laden vest targeting Hazara community members inside the vegetable market, at least 20 people were killed including eight Hazara community members and one FC soldier and 48 injured.” Provincial Home Minister Zia Langove said.

A heavy contingent of Law Enforcement Agencies and rescue workers rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies and injured to Civil and Bolan Medical Complex Hospitals for medico legal process.

Provincial Minister Zia Langove confirmed five critical injured being treated in Civil Hospitals’ Trauma Center.

So far no group claimed responsibility for the latest attack against the Shitee Hazara Community but there were suspicions that banned armed groups such as TTP or ISIS might be behind the latest attack in the provincial capital.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani condemned the attack and expressed grieves over the loss of human lives in the suicide attack.

“The perpetrators of today’s attack won’t be spared while security forces will respond forcefully against terrorist groups targeting innocent citizens.” Jam Kamal said directed health department to ensure quality treatment for injured.

Hazara vegetable vendors being escorted by security forces while traveling to Hazar Ganji Market since the community facing sectarian violence.

Talking to media at the crime scene DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema said, Frontier Corps, Police and Eagle Squad were escorting 11 vehicles and 55 members of Hazara community when they left for vegetable market,

“It is premature to confirm that who was target of the blast but our investigation teams collecting evidence and further details will be made public.” Cheema said added we had reports of general security threats but didn’t receive threats against Hazara community.

Protest held at Quetta’s western by-pass against today’s deadliest attack on Hazara community where protesters set on fire used tires and blocked the road for all kind of traffic.

“Terrorist groups seek to spoil peace in Quetta where brotherly nations have been living from decades, but they can’t escalate tensions among our peaceful nations.” Qadir Nail MPA elected from Hazara Town said.

He added, Home Ministry assured me that a search operation would be conducted against terrorist outfits killing innocent people of Balochistan.

Eight people of Hazara community buried

All eight people of Hazara Community, who lost their lives in a suicidal attack in Hazar Ganji Vegetable market, were buried in Hazara Town grave yard in the presence of hundreds of people on Friday evening.

Besides, people of the community, the Home Minister Ziaullah Langove and Minister Health, MIR Nasibullah Marri and other people were presented in the grave yard during burial of suicidal attack victims.

The burial of other victims of the suicide attack was also held in different areas of the city. The bodes of some victims who belongs to other cities weer sent their  native towns.

Meanwhile, people from Hazara community including women and children staged a protest demonstration in front of Press Club. They marched on main roads of the city carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands. Later, they gathered in front of Quetta Press Club where the protestors chanted slogans against the government and strongly condemned the suicidal attack in Hazara Ganji vegetable and fruit market.

The speakers while condemning the tragic incident said that the genocide of Hazara community is continue since last many years and government failed to protect the lives and property of the community.

They demanded arrest of elements involved in this inhuman act and fully implement on the National Action Plan without any discrimination. They said that it was responsibility of the state and government to provide security to its people.