At least four people were killed and 20 others wounded in an explosion in Balochistan’s Sibi district on Sunday.
Unidentified people had planted a five kilogramme bomb on a motorcycle, parked on the road side, at Chakar Khan Road area of Sibi, which went off with a huge bang, Sibi District Police Officer (DPO) Anwar Khetran told reporters. He further said that the nearby buildings and shops were also damaged in the explosion and added that all the blast victims were civilians. “The target of blast is yet to be confirmed,” Khetran added.
Security and rescue teams reached the blast site and cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident was underway.
Rescue sources said that the victims were shifted to Civil Hospital Sibi where an emergency was imposed to treat the injured. The condition of three wounded was reported as critical where as five victims had been treated for minor injuries.
Five people including Wali Muhammad, Ali Nawaz were killed. Twenty others Musa Khan, Ali Muhammad, Sohrab Khan, Sakhi dost, Lal Muhammad, Mehr Chand, Rasool Muhammad, Jhanda Khan, Khan Muhammad, Sher Muhammad, Ali Nawaz. Lal Gul, Muhammad Hashim and others were injured in the explosion.
On information Sibi Scouts Wing Commander Lt Col Waqas Malik, Sibi DIG Iftikharul Haq, DPO Khetran, Municipal Committee Chairman Haji Maulana Daud Rind, Faqir Rind and others reached the spot along with FC and Levies contingents.
Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters after the blast as fear and panic prevailed in the city. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
Balochistan has been under the grip of sectarian violence and attacks of Baloch separatists and unidentified elements since more than a decade.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan have strongly condemned the Sibi blast and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.
Moreover, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has condemned the Sibbi blast, calling it a cowardly act aimed at causing fear among the citizens.
According to a statement issued Sunday, the chief minister directed the quarters concerned for ensuring the best facilities to injured and taking concrete measures to bring the culprits to justices.
