Summary Call for strike has been given in wake of 3 terrorist attacks that harassed Quetta on Thursday.
QUETTA (Dunya News) – In the wake of three separate incidents of terrorism that struck Quetta yesterday (Thursday), Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) and Tahafuz-e-Azadari Council announced to observe shutter down strike on Friday.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and other political parties have also supported the call.
Traffic was lesser than the normal routine whereas all the markets and shops were closed.
JUI (F) has announced to conduct a rally after Friday prayers.
The security has been beefed up to ensure law and order in the city. Police and officers of Balochistan Constabulary have been deployed at various areas and whole of the city is in a state of gloom in regard to the terrorist attacks that harassed Quetta.
Earlier, at least eight people were killed and a person got injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on a bus in Hazar Ganji area on the outskirts of Quetta on Thursday morning.
The victims, belonging to Hazara Community, were shopkeepers who were going back after buying fruits and vegetables from Sabzi Mandi.
The injured man was shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) while the police have taken bus driver into custody for interrogation.
Investigation officer Aitzaz Ahmed said the suspects have used 9mm pistoles in the attack; they managed to escape from the scene due to rush in the area.
Protesting against the incident, Hazara Democratic Party and Tahafuz-e-Azadari announced three days of mourning.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the incident.
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, and has been plagued by a separatist rebellion as well as sectarian violence.
Hundreds of Hazaras in Quetta have been killed in attacks over the past few years.
In the second incident of the day, at least three people were killed and eleven others injured when a blast took place near Frontier Constabulary (FC) convoy on Qambrani Road in Quetta.
As per details, the FC personnel were conducting a search operation in the area after shooting incident in Hazar Ganji area.
Unknown terrorists had planted a bomb in a motorcycle parked near Bashir Chowk. The bomb exploded when FC convoy passed through the area.
Resultantly, 14 people including two FC men sustained injuries. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital where three of the victims succumbed to their injuries.
According to doctors, three injured people are still in critical condition.
Meanwhile, heavy contingent of FC and policemen surrounded the blast site and launched investigation into the incident.
A bomb disposal squad (BDS) official said that six to eight kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.
In the third incident, at least three people were killed and twenty others injured as a suicide attack targeted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) rally.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman narrowly escaped the attack; however, his vehicle was completely destroyed. The attack left three dead and twenty including four policemen injured.
The banned terrorist outfit Jindullah has claimed responsibility of the attack.
Reportedly, Fazlur Rehman had just exited the Mufti Mehmood Conference venue after his address when a suicide bomber exploded himself. JUI-F chief’s vehicle has been completely destroyed in the incident.
The aftermath of the explosion presented a sight of destruction everywhere. The nearby buildings and several vehicles were heavily affected.
The attack caused stampede inside the rally venue and participants were stopped from exiting the venue.
Reportedly, those killed include rally’s security volunteer Ansarul Islam.
The rescue teams and bomb disposal squad reached the venue just as the reports surfaced and transferred the injured to the hospital.
The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema confirmed the attack was suicide bombing.
According to the SP Investigation Aitzaz Goraya, some six to eight kilogram of explosive material was used in the attack.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that Fazlur Rehman was provided bomb proof vehicle by the police and that Fazlur Rehman escaped due to the foolproof security.
Police sources said that the suicide bomber even tried to enter the rally venue but was prevented from doing so.
