Security forces on Monday killed the mastermind of the Quetta Civil Hospital bombing along with four other high-profile militants during an operation in Balochistan’s Pishin district, according to Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti.
“The mastermind behind the attack on Quetta’s Civil Hospital, Jahangir Badini, was killed during the operation,” said Bugti.
Bugti was talking to the media at a press conference in Quetta.
The militants were involved in a series of terrorist acts, including the attack at Hazara women and the murder of Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, the principal of the University of Balochistan’s Law College.
“So far three of the five terrorists have been identified,” the home minister said.
Balochistan Police Chief Ahsan Mehboob was also present during the press conference.
Security forces also claimed to have recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the militants.
“Security forces have recovered 30 to 40 kilograms of explosives, four suicide jackets, and other weapons, said Bugti.
One suspect was detained during the operation and was being interrogated by security forces.
The suicide bomber, who blew himself up in the hospital on 8th Aug, has also been identified with the help of DNA tests.
“His name was Ahmed Ali and he was a resident of Quetta”, Bugti said.
In August a suicide bomber targeted the emergency services ward at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, killing at least 70 people and leaving scores injured.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), claimed responsibility for the bombing which occurred at the gates of the building housing the emergency ward.
The bomber struck as more than a hundred mourners, mostly lawyers and journalists, crowded into the emergency department to accompany the body of Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi.
