25 killed, Senate deputy chairman injured in Mastung blast

• Maulana Haideri says blast was very powerful, adding that though he is not seriously hurt, he is deeply saddened by deaths
• PM, president, interior minister, COAS, Senate chairman strongly condemn the attack
• IS claims responsibility, saying bomber wearing explosive vest was responsible  

As many as 25 people lost their lives while over 40 others, including Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, were injured on Friday in a roadside blast in Mastung area of Balochistan, officials said.

Mastung District Health Officer Dr Sher Zaman said, “25 bodies have been shifted to two hospitals in Quetta,” adding that 35 injured were also being transferred to Quetta.

Maulana Haideri’s convoy was targeted in the blast with pictures showing the extent of damage to his vehicle. The deputy chairman was returning from an event at Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen at Jamia Masjid Hammadia when the explosion took place.

Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, spokesman for the Balochistan provincial government, said that the attack occurred when Haideri was leaving a mosque after Friday prayers.

“As soon as they started the journey back there was an explosion,” Kakar said.

“Law enforcement personnel are collecting evidence at the site and examining the crime scene. It would be premature to say what kind of blast it was at this stage.”

The Senate deputy chairman has been shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Quetta, said DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema.

A Senate director staff Iftikhar Mughal was reportedly killed in the attack.

It is unclear whether the explosion was the result of an improvised explosive device (IED) or a suicide attack. Police say the attack is likely to have been a suicide bombing.

NO THREATS RECEIVED EARLIER, SAYS HAIDERI:

The blast was very powerful, said Maulana Haideri, adding that though he is not seriously hurt, he is deeply saddened by the deaths which had taken place.

JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Malik told a private news channel that Maulana Haideri had asked for a bulletproof vehicle which was not provided.

“I am alive, Allah has saved my life. It was all very sudden. Broken pieces of the windscreen hit me. I am injured but safe. The driver and other people sitting next to me were badly injured,” Haideri said.

The area has been cordoned off by security forces and investigations are underway. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri has directed relevant officials to immediately submit a report on the incident.

Haideri said he could not say anything at the moment as the investigation was going on into the matter.

Haideri is a member of the right-wing religious Jamaat Ulema Islam party’s Fazl faction (JUI-F), and has been a senator since 2008. He has been the deputy chairman of the Senate since 2015.

He has previously represented his native district of Kalat, also in Balochistan, in the lower house of parliament.

JUI-F CHIEF SAYS HAVE TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR STABILITY OF ISLAM:

Speaking to a news channel, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazulr Rehman condemned the attack on Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri before adding that Friday’s attack was not the first on the party. He announced that his party will hold countrywide protests on Sunday against the “act of cowardice”.

“Many of our dear companions have been martyred [in this attack],” he said further, adding that, “We have to continue to work for this country and the stability of Islam.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs terming the attack a very painful incident for the nation and particularly the JUI. He added that “such incidents will not stop us in our cause.”

The JUI-F chief also said such incidents occur “because we [JUI-F] stand with Pakistan, its law, and its Constitution.

ISLAMIC STATE CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY:

Islamic State (IS, aka Daesh) militant group claimed it had carried out the deadly bomb attack.

The group’s Amaq news agency said a bomber wearing an explosive vest was responsible for the attack.

PM, PRESIDENT, COAS CONDEMN ATTACK:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed his concern for the well-being of Maulana Haideri.

According to an official statement, the prime minister expressed his deep concern for the well-being of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haider and prayed for his swift recovery. The premier directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured.

He also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.

President Mamnoon Hussain also condemned the attack in a statement and expressed the state’s resolve to protect the public by completely eradicating terrorism from the country.

The president prayed for the early recovery of the injured, including the deputy chairman of the Senate. He directed authorities to provide all possible assistance to the injured.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa condemned the heinous terrorist attack on the convoy of Senate deputy chairman. He expressed grief on the loss of innocent lives and directed for best possible medical treatment to the injured, who were evacuated by Army helicopter to CMH Quetta.

COAS said, “Such acts of terrorism cannot lower our national resolve to continue with our positive trajectory of peace, stability and economic progress.”

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani and Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan also condemned the attack, with Rabbani saying “terrorists cannot deter [the] nation’s resolve against militancy through such coward attacks.”

Senate chairman termed the incident a suicide attack, earlier it was not confirmed by either the police or rescue personnel whether the explosion was a roadside bomb or a suicide attack.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also condemned the blast, expressing heartfelt grief over the loss of precious lives.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the deputy chairman. Bilawal Bhutto said the controlling the menace of terrorism was a collective responsibility.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, KP Governor Engr Iqbal Zafar, PML-N KP President Engr Amir Muqam, Parliamentary Leader Muhshidullah Khan, and Ports and Shipping Minister Mir Hasil Khan Bazinjo strongly condemned the blast.

KP assembly, while condemning the Mastung blast, termed it a cowardly act.

The Turkish government also condemned the attack, saying, “We condemn this heinous terrorist act and we reiterate our solidarity with the friendly and brotherly government and people of Pakistan on the occasion of this tragic incident.”

Malala Yousufzai, while condemned the attack, wrote: “I strongly condemn Mastung blast, I and my family are praying for the speedy recovery of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and others injured, prayers for the martyrs, terrorists want to weaken Pakistan through their heinous acts but Pakistanis stand united against terrorism and extremism.”