ISLAMABAD, SEPT 3
At least 60 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured today when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shia procession organised to mark Al-Quds day in Pakistan’s southwest city of Quetta.
The bomber, appears to be an Uzbek and in the age bracket of 20 to 22 years, was among the crowd and detonated explosives on reaching the Meezan Chowk in the Quetta city, the capital of Balochistan, shortly before 3 pm, police said.
Dramatic footage aired on Geo News captured the blast, which occurred as the marchers were shouting anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian slogans to mark the International Quds day to express solidarity with the people of Palestine.
About 60 people were killed, The Nation newspaper quoted police and civil officials were quoted as saying. TV channels quoted officials at hospitals as saying that they had received about 100 injured people.
The driver of a TV channel was killed while seven reporters and cameramen of various channels were among the injured.
People screamed in panic and ran helter-skelter after the blast. Several men cowered in fear and tried to hide behind cars and motorcycles. Armed youths who were part of the procession started firing after the blast.
Many persons sustained bullet injuries, officials said.
The procession was organised by the Imamia Students’ Organisation, the Shia youth wing of Balochistan.
Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Qari Hussain claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, saying though his group is fighting the United States and the Pakistani government, “Shiites are also our target.”
The attack on the procession came hours after two terrorist strikes left as many persons dead in the country’s restive northwest.
Balochistan police chief Malik Iqbal confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. He said police had asked the organisers of the rally to change the route due to fears of a terrorist attack.
“The head of the suicide bomber, appears to be an Uzbek and in the age bracket of 20 to 22 years, has been taken into custody,: said a police official.
