Quetta:
Khorasan’s chapter of the ultra-extreritist Islamic State group claimed the responsibility of the suicide bombing on Tuesday during a political rally in a provincial capital which, according to officials, had killed 17 people and injured much more. The Islamic-Khorasan State (IS-K) made the complaint through its propaganda arm.
The suicide bomber blew up the accusation during the Balutchistan National-Mégal (BNP-M) Rally at the Shahwani stadium in Quetta. The case was recorded on Wednesday at the police station of the Terrorism Department (CTD). Police sources have confirmed that accusations of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, the use of explosives and other serious offenses were invoked in the FIR.
It was the second attack targeting the BNP chief, Sardar Akhtar Mengal. The first attempted assassination was made a few months ago in the Mastung district district when the politician Baloutche led a sit-in demanding the release of Balouthes political prisoners, in particular members of the Baloch Yekjehti committee.
The BNP reacted strongly to the last bombings, promising to continue its fight for the political and democratic rights of the people despite such acts of violence. “We will not bow due to these loose attacks,” Mengal told party members on Wednesday.
Head Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti firmly sentenced the attack, which called her an attempt to destabilize the province. President of a high -level meeting on law and order, he ordered the security agencies to translate the perpetrators into court and assured the families of the victims that they would not be alone in their sorrow.
BUGTI said that his administration was determined to restore peace and strengthen security measures, while asking health officials to provide the best medical care for the injured. He added that patients injured by criticism should be transferred to Karachi via an air ambulance, if necessary.
Additional chief secretary, Hamza Shafqat, announced compensation for RS1.5 million for the heirs of each deceased and 200,000 rupees for each person injured on behalf of the chief minister.
He said security threats already existed in Quetta and other parts of Balutchistan, and the administration had repeatedly urged BNP-M to postpone its public rally due to intelligence warnings. However, the party did not conform to the advice and decided to stage the event, of themselves.
The authorities have confirmed that security had been tightened through Quetta and other sensitive districts after the explosion, while the investigators collect evidence to follow the officials. Political parties, including BNP-M, PKMAP and the National Party, condemned the attack and announced three days of mourning to honor the 17 political workers who lost their lives in the attack.
(With an additional AFP input)
