Six cops among 13 killed in Quetta car bombing

• Initial report reveals 75kg explosives used in attack near IG office

At least 13 people, including six policemen, were killed and over a dozen people were injured in a suspected suicide car bombing near the office of the Inspector General of Police on the Gulistan Road early on Friday.

The bodies, including the 16 people who were injured in the attack, were shifted to the Civil Hospital Quetta. Nine of the injured are police officials. An initial report by Civil Defence Director Aslam Tareen revealed that 75 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the attack, which was said to be the result of a suicide bombing.

Tareen said that experts also discovered ball bearings and various kinds of nuts and bolts were used in the blast to inflict maximum damage. Balochistan government spokesperson Anwarul Haq Kakar said that the suspected bomber, likely travelling in a 1986 Toyota Corolla, tried to break a security perimeter to target police offices.

But the attacker blew up after policemen standing guard at the location attempted to stop him. Kakar said that India was using terror as a tool against the people of Pakistan. He said that India was playing an extremely irresponsible role in Balochistan.

Security officials also confirmed that the blast was the result of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) which exploded after the suspicious driver was spotted by policemen. Addressing the media earlier, Quetta DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema said that they were examining CCTV footage to determine further details about the incident.

The security forces cordoned off the site of the blast and began investigating after rescue services shifted the injured and deceased to the hospital. Officials said that the body parts of the suspected bomber, strewn across the site of the blast, were being collected along with other evidence for forensic examination.

Addressing the media, Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Haripal said it appears the bomber wanted to attack the office of the inspector general of police. He said that the investigations were under way to ascertain more details about the attacker.

He said that the security was tight around city thus the attacker was forced to target police. Later, the investigators revealed that the vehicle bearing a Karachi number plate used in the bombing and was registered to an individual who is identified by the police.

The incident took place near Shuhada Chowk on Gulistan Road, opposite the police chief’s office. The area falls under a high-security zone, with offices of senior police officials and the Police Lines situated there. Footage of the incident showed two vehicles badly damaged in the explosion, while debris lay scattered on the street.

Officials said that the explosion was loud enough to be heard from a distance and shattered windows of nearby buildings. Emergency has been declared at the Civil Hospital as well as the Bolan Medical Complex, said rescue officials. Immediately after the explosion, security of the Civil Hospital was tightened with police officers deployed at all entry and exit points of the premises.

The deputy commissioner also visited the hospital to oversee the arrangements. Extra security measures were already in place in the provincial capital in light of the Jummatul Wida and the Eidul Fitr.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while condemning the attack, said that terrorists involved in the attack will be taken to task and all out efforts will be taken to eliminate terrorism. Those injured in the incident will be provided with best medical facilities for their treatment, he remarked.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the incident and expressed grief at the loss of lives. He demanded a report from the provincial government over the incident. Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, governors and chief ministers of all the provinces condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.

In a statement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan while strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Quetta said that terrorists cannot shake the morals of Pakistanis through such subversive activities. He said that soon the enemies of humanity will meet their fate. “Enemies cannot demoralise the Pakistani nation through such insurgencies as they will be eliminated soon,” he said.