QUETTA: A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a pilgrims’ bus at Akhtarabad bypass on Qambarani Road in Quetta on Wednesday evening, killing at least three persons and injuring 24 others including women and children.
The police and rescue sources said that the bus filled with more than 50 pilgrims was coming to Quetta from Iran when it was targeted. After the blast, the fire engulfed the bus completely.
A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) official said that about 80-100 kilograms of explosive was used in the bomb, adding that a suicide-car-bomber rammed into the fateful bus and blew the it up.
The injured were shifted to Combined Military Hospital and Bolan Medical Complex Quetta while police and rescue teams reached the blast site and cordoned off the area.
Meanwhile, the Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen and Shia Ulema Council announced to observe three days of mourning against the attack on pilgrims’ bus.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the Quetta bomb blast.
Likewise, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan and Awami National Party (ANP) Chief Asfandyar Wali also condemned the blast.
Shocked 2 learn of targeted sectarian terror attack ag Shias in Quetta. This is yet another attack against Pakistani nation.Condemnable.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 1, 2014
