QUETTA: A suicide
blast at the funeral of a slain police officer in Quetta killed 30 people on
Thursday, including at least 21 police officers, said Balochistan police chief
Mushtaq Sukhera.
"So far we can
confirm 21 police personnel, including senior police officials, have been
killed. Nine other victims are yet to be identified," Inspector General
Mushtaq Sukhera told a press conference. "I can confirm 40 people have
been injured."
Sukhera confirmed the
attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. “The death toll may rise because
the condition of most of the injured is critical,” he said.
According to reports,
the suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside the mosque in Quetta's
Police Lines area where the funeral procession of station house officer
Mohibullah was being held. The bomb went off as senior officers prepared to
offer prayers for their colleague.
The injured were
shifted to the Civil Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital.
Deputy Inspector
General (DIG) Police Operations Fayyaz Sumbal, Deputy Superintendent of Police
(DSP) Headquarters Shamsuddin and Superintendent Ali Mehr were among the senior
police officials killed in the bombing.
Sukhera said among the
senior officials killed were one DIG and three DSPs. ”Our brave officers
embraced martyrdom but we will continue sacrificing our lives for the security
of our motherland,” he said.
The blast was the
second targeted attack on Thursday on police personnel in the provincial
capital, which has been under high security the entire day. SHO Mohibullah was
shot dead by unknown gunmen earlier this morning when he was reportedly taking
his family for Eid shopping.
Eyewitnesses said fear
and chaos spread among the people attending the funeral following the blast. TV
channels broadcast live footage from inside the mosque of frightened mourners
scrambling for cover as they heard the loud explosion.
“All my colleagues are
gone. The DSP, SP, DIG… they’re all gone,” said one emotional eyewitness
reduced to tears.
Some described the
horror after the explosion. “I was inside the mosque and we were lining up for
the funeral prayers when a big blast took place. I came out and saw injured and
dead bodies,” policeman Mohammad Hafiz told reporters. “I have no words to
explain what I've seen. It was horrible.”
Shahidullah Shahid, a
spokesman for Pakistan's umbrella Tehrik-i-Taliban faction, claimed
responsibility.
“We did it and soon
you see another big attack in the next coming days,” he said.
“We are at war with
police and other security agencies. They are attacking us and we are targeting
them,” Shahid said.
“Anywhere and whenever
we get the chance, we will target security forces, government officials and
police,” he added.
SP + DIG surpass Minister + Prime
Minister
Today, Thursday 8th August, 2013 as per
newspapers’ latest news a suicide attack in Quetta has killed 30 policemen
including DIG and SP upon which Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has asked his
interior minister Nisar to immediately rush to Quetta.
News reported that Nisar may visit Quetta in three
days time while it further said that provincial government has advised Nisar to
postpone his visit by three days whereas Dawn reports that Shahidullah Shahid
as spokesman for Taleban has only owned the attack but has also informed in
advance about more attacks to be carried out by its organization in near future
Now combining what has been reported by News and Dawn
it very clearly establishes that neither our government cares about our
citizens nor taleban are to stop killing innocent lives. Let me say it aloud
that I will be commenting on the basis of the facts already reported in the
press and therefore I am neither adding spice nor slat to it and therefore it
be taken into its real spirit and hence it may not be construed otherwise.
The worst part of the news is that Habibullah, SHO had
been killed earlier and quite naturally many police officers and officials
including DIG Fayyaz Sumbal and SP Ali Mehar came to attend the funeral of
Habib both in official and personal capacity which as such provided an ample
opportunity to those who are criminally human blood thirsty. Aggrieved people have hardly lined up and
final touches were being given to start the funeral prayer for Habibullah when
all of a suicide one unnoticed bomber succeeded in reaching near to the ill
fated mosque whereby he blasted himself killing many instantly while scores
were injured both fatally and lightly.
Those who are dutiful people like late Habibullah, DIG Fayyaz and SP
Mehar face nothing short of death while discharging their duties whereas those
like PM Nawaz Sharif and Nisar, Interior Minister who ought to care for the
whole nation are even scared of their lives and do not jump into the fire while
it is burning rather they wait for the moment when fire is completely put off
so that they can safely be there for their personal publicity and photo
session.
Which power on the face of earth, if any, stopped PM
to fly to Quetta from where he sought many votes to get him elected as PM and
now when the situation demanded that he ought to be there how could he be so
ignorant not to be in Quetta where many innocent people are killed so savagely
for none of their fault? Had PM not earned laurels from the aggrieved people if
he was there, is my very simple question? Had sky split apart if PM was in
Quetta at the graves of those who lost their lives on, ‘Chaand Raat’ or for
that matter visited the injured ones is yet another question? When will PM be
with the masses if not on death is too simple and burning question which not be
ignored but answered please? What action did PM take, if at all any, against
Interior Minister Nisar whom PM directed to visit Quetta immediately but the
minister had the guts indicating that he may visit within three days but not
now? What scared him to be there and if he is scared of his life then how can
he be a guarantor of others lives is too pertinent question? Why did
Balochistan government advice Nisar not to fly now and instead delay for three
days? Has the provincial government lost its writ to be enforced in its
capital? Should it be construed that Taleban are stronger in my beloved
Pakistan than PML (N) government?
To the best of my knowledge and belief people of
Pakistan have voted for Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group) to look after them
particularly at the time of such gruesome eventualities when DIG and SP risk
their lives in serving the people and not ignore them PM and Interior Minister
has shown in crystal clear terms in Quetta unless I am wrong which I am not.
*****************************************
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait