Strike in Quetta after attack on pilgrims

Published January 2, 2014
Security personnel look at the wreckage of a car used in Wednesday's suicide bombing. — Photo by AFP
Security personnel look at the wreckage of a car used in Wednesday's suicide bombing. — Photo by AFP

QUETTA: In wake of the Wednesday’s suicide attack on a bus of pilgrims in Quetta, a strike was being observed on Thursday in the violence prone capital of Balochistan, DawnNews reported.

The strike call was given by the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) following yesterday’s suicide attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Iran as it was entering the Akhtarabad area of Quetta.

Following the strike call, Alamdar Road, Hazara Town, Kirani, Marriabad and other commercial centres remain closed and roads witnessed less traffic as the city mourned the ferocious attack.

Moreover, a meeting of the security committee headed by Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch would take place today to discuss strategies to extend fool-proof security to the buses carrying pilgrims.

A case was registered in a police station under the complaint of the Station House Officer (SHO) against unknown persons.

The FIR was lodged under sections of the law pertaining to terrorism, murder, attempted murder and other charges.

At least three people were killed and 31 were injured in the attack.

The injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where six were reported to be in critical condition.

Despite the security measures taken in the province on new year eve, the suicide attacker managed to smash his explosive-laden vehicle into the bus.

Militants have been targeting pilgrims coming from Iran for over past six years in Quetta and in other parts of Balochistan.

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