AIG Hamid Shakeel among three martyred in Quetta suicide blast

• PM, COAS,CM condemn attack

QUETTA: Terrorists once again struck Balochistan capital Quetta with a suicide attack martyring three officers including Additional Inspector General (AIG) Hamid Shakeel Durrani on Thursday.

 As per reports, the blast targetted AIG Hamid Shakil’s vehicle when he was leaving his house in Quetta’s Chaman Housing Scheme on airport road.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ramzan and driver Jalil Ahmed also lost their lives while eight others including civilians sustained severe injuries in the explosion. The injured were shifted to Combined Military Hospital and civil hospital where two of the injured were stated to be in a critical condition.

Security officials, rescue teams and the bomb disposal squad reached the site after the incident and cordoned off the area to ascertain the nature of the blast.

Later, the head of the Civil Defence Department stated that about 10-15 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast.  He also confirmed that it was a suicide attack. The blast was reported to be of such high intensity that it was heard far away and windowpanes of the nearby buildings were shattered.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Quetta that claimed lives of three police officials including AIG Hamid Shakeel.

In a statement, the premier said such dastardly acts are reflective of the defeated mentality. He reiterated that such acts cannot shake our resolve in the fight against terrorism.

PM Abbasi also appreciated the contribution and sacrifices of the police force in the elimination of terrorism and restoration of law and order.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the suicide blast and acknowledged the contributions of the police and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for peace in the country stating that their sacrifices shall not go waste.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Home Minsiter Sarfraz Bugti also condemned the attack in strong words and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of the AIG and others in the incident.

The NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi have also condemned the attack.

Police are often targetted in terrorist attacks in Balochistan. The last such attacks occurred three weeks ago when eight policemen were martyred after unidentified attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their truck.