QUETTA: Pakistani officials said that security forces are on high alert across the country following a suicide bombing by the Islamic State group that targeted a church, killing nine people.
Sunday’s attack in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan, also wounded about 60 worshippers. It was the first attack on a church claimed by the IS affiliate in Pakistan.
Balochistan’s Police Chief Moazzam Ansari said security forces are trying to find those who orchestrated the attack.
About 400 worshippers were attending the Sunday service when two bombers stormed the church, triggering a gun-battle in which one assailant was killed by police and the other opened fire at worshippers and detonated his explosives’ vest.
Pakistan denies the presence of the Islamic State group, saying it has no organised network in the country.
