At least four killed, 14 injured in result of bike bomb blast in Barkhan area of Balochistan
BARKHAN/QUETTA/ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (SABAH): At least four people were killed and 14 wounded in an explosion inside the Rakhni market in Balochistan’s Barkhan area on Sunday, police and health officials said.
Barkhan District Health Officer Dr. Abdul Hameed confirmed the death toll to a private TV channel, adding that the injured persons had been moved to the Rakhni Hospital.
According to Barkhan Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Khoso, the blast occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED), planted on a motorcycle, exploded.
Khoso said the police have arrived at the site and cordoned it off. “Teams have begun collecting evidence from the site,” he added.
Unverified videos making the rounds on social media show volunteers carrying bloodied victims away as a crowd gathers at the purported site of the blast. Mangled motorcycles and charred vegetables can be seen strewn about on the road. There was no claim of responsibility as yet.
The law enforcement agency also shared that the explosion had damaged several cars, motorcycles and shops. Security forces cordoned off the area and completely suspended traffic after the incident.
Meanwhile, the police and law enforcement agencies are collecting the evidence.
President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have condemned the blast in Barkhan, Balochistan province which resulted in the loss of precious lives.
In their separate messages, they expressed their deep grief over the loss of lives and expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls.
President Dr. Arif Alvi stressed the need to “speed up efforts for the complete elimination of terrorists”. “Terrorists are the enemy of peace in Balochistan and progress,” he was quoted as saying. “Terrorists will never be successful in their nefarious plans.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a report of the incident from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and the inspector-general of police (IG) Balochistan.
The premier also directed to ensure the best medical facilities for those wounded in the blast. “The terrorists will not be able to escape from the punishment,” stressed the PM.
Condemning the incident, the prime minister expressed grief over the loss of lives. “We will make an example out of those who spill innocent blood,” he added.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for those who lost their lives and for speedy recovery of the injured.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident, saying that the elements involved in terrorism are unforgivable.
The former president said that the federal and provincial governments should bring all terrorist to justice.
Asif Ali Zardari also offered sympathies to the family of those who were killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Barkhan district of Balochistan. According to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House here Sunday, the Chairman PPP, in his reaction to the reprehensible violence in Rakhni Bazar, said that Pakistan was determined to root out those who target innocent citizens. “Terrorists have no religion or nation, they are brutal beasts in human form,” he added.
Bilawal expressed his heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of the citizens, who were martyred in the terror-attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has condemned the blast in the area of Rakhni in Barkhan, Balochistan. In a statement on Sunday, he expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of precious lives in the incident. He extended his condolence to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
The Interior Minister also sought a report of the incident from of the authorities concerned.
He said terrorists are enemy of peace and progress in Balochistan. He said terrorists will never be successful in their nefarious plans.
Meanwhile, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani also condemned the incident.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has condemned the blast and directed the authorities to take all possible steps to arrest the culprits. He has also summoned a report on the incident from the police.
“Those who shed the blood of innocent people are enemies of humanity,” the minister said.
“Terrorists are creating uncertainty to achieve their evil goals. But we won’t allow anti-state elements to succeed,” he stated, promising that the government would adopt an effective counter-terrorism strategy.
Bizenjo also directed officials to provide the best medical care to injured people and prayed for the high ranks of the deceased.