QUETTA: The death toll from Tuesday’s devastating suicide blast in Quetta has climbed to 15, while authorities have warned of the possible presence of more suicide bombers in Balochistan.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed on Wednesday that out of the 38 people injured, eight remain under treatment at the trauma centre. A special committee has been constituted to investigate the attack.
“The suicide bomber was unable to reach the BNP rally venue due to stringent security arrangements,” Kakar stated.
The explosion ripped through Sariab Road near Shahwani Stadium, shortly after a political rally of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had ended. Several of the wounded remain in critical condition.
Following directives from Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, authorities are prepared to shift severely injured victims to Karachi if necessary. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, terming it a cowardly attempt by terrorists to destabilize Balochistan.
PM Shehbaz called the assault “damning evidence of a nefarious conspiracy to spread chaos,” vowing that the war against terrorism will continue until the menace is eradicated.
Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has registered a case against unknown individuals under murder, attempted murder, and anti-terrorism charges. Forensic teams have taken custody of the bomber’s remains.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat revealed that around 8 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the attack and warned that 22 suspected individuals — potentially including suicide bombers — have entered the province. He criticized rally organisers for ignoring repeated government warnings and holding the gathering until late evening, well beyond the permitted time.
“The security alert was issued, but the warnings were not taken seriously. Such incidents could have been avoided,” Shafqaat said, adding that no political rallies will be allowed after sundown in the future.
The incident comes amid a surge in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Pakistan witnessed 78 terrorist attacks in June, leaving 100 dead and 189 injured.
Officials have also issued a security alert for Rabi-ul-Awal 12, warning of possible terrorist activity during the religious occasion.
