QUETTA: Unidentified armed men killed eight members of the ethnic Hazara community and injured six others in the Hazar Ganji area of Quetta, the capital of the volatile Balochistan province, on Thursday morning.
Imran Qureshi, a senior police officer told Dawn that the armed men opened fire at a Mazda bus and killed eight members of the Hazara community.
"The assailants sprayed bullets over the bus and managed to escape unhurt from the spot," Qureshi said.
Also read: Pakistani Hazara campaigner fights deportation from Britain
The bodies were brought to the Bolan Medical Complex hospital where a large number of people had gathered. Qureshi said initially six people had been killed, however, two more succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital.
"This is an act of targeted killing," he said.
Panic prevailed among locals after the killings.
The predominantly Shia community whose members stand out on account of their Central Asian features has come under increasing attacks by extremist groups such as the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ).
Estimates provided by Tahir Hussain Khan, president of the Balochistan chapter of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan(HRCP), earlier this month show that the violence has driven as many as 200,000 Hazaras to relocate to other major cities of Pakistan or move abroad.
HDP calls for strike in Quetta, MWM announces three-day mourning
The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) has announced shutter down in Quetta on Friday (tomorrow) to mourn the killings of the eight.
In a statement issued by the HDP, the party lashed out at the provincial government and law enforcement agencies over their failure to protect Hazaras Shias in the city.
"Under a pre-planned conspiracy, our people are being targeted,” the statement said.
The Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) has also announced three days of mourning over today’s killings.
It has moreover criticised the government and law enforcement agencies for their failure to protect citizens.
More on this: HRCP reports exodus of minorities from Balochistan
PM takes notice of attack, orders probe, arrests
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of today’s incident and directed the interior secretary to mobilise security agencies and ensure the arrests of those responsible.
The premier ordered that swift and stern action is taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The prime minister moreover directed the interior secretary to file an official report following a thorough investigation of the incident.
Comments (96) Closed
Another sectarian attack ....... Kind live and let every one live ....... Army should give their eyes on Quetta (Balochistan) as well
RIP
Eyhnic cleansing. This is exactly what happenned to pandits in kashmir.
Zarb-i-azb much needed in Baluchistan.
i dont know what to say....its total chaos in Pakistan. Law of jungle. No one ever gets caught after committing these kind of crimes
Oh my God!!!!!!! when will it stop????? What the government is doing? Why don't they star a Waziristan style operation in Balochistan and Karachi also?
For God sake, cleanse our country from these beasts.. who kill innocent people.
very bad government is doing nothing against target killing of karachi and hazara shias...
Inhuman forces are targeting these people for too long. This would be a subject the container people should pick up in support of the Hazara community. We need to raise awareness to stop this needless incidents.
Uk pakistanis should take out million march in london for killing christians, shias, hazaras, sikhs, hindus in their lawless country
When will the rulers accept that every citizen is equal in the eyes of the law, and provide protection to the public instead of patronizing militants for their personal agenda?
I wonder when these suspects would be caught and their organization would be good. What is the role of Pak Army and Police to bringing justice to our minority who has true intention of leading their life in Pakistan. Now will the government take the responsibility of this ethnic cleansing?
We were told this country is citadel of Islam. Now we can see it almost every day. Ahmadi and hazaras are the worst victims. India is 1000 times safer with the protection of constitutiion. If Adbus Salam was an Indian he would have been a big celebrity like the way Dr ABJ Abdul Kalam was celebrated as president.
My hearts brake down Shia's are killed every singly day every part of Muslim countries and majority Muslim and west are Silent there hypocrisy at best . Its high time Iran should fund Shia and make another Hezbollah like army in Pakistan to defend those barbaric lunatics terrorists. My condolence to those martyrs family from painful Indian Shia.:-(
I am ashamed and sorry as a pakistani for the lost of innocent souls but its high time hazaras,ahmedis or others facing genocide & persecution show courage, take arms and challenge the state for not protecting their life's because these outlawed groups act under protection of intelligence agencies. it is also moral and obligatory part of their faith to act against any aggression or hostility.
This has gone on for too long, we HAVE to put a stop to this. Not just the government and the army but we as citizens have to wake up from our indifference and help our fellow Pakistanis from this annual genocide!!
I am trying to find words to express this insanity.
It is sad that Quetta is turning into Karbala ...... :-(
This is the way minorities are treated there!! And this is not new, but, regular. So much lecturing to India on this forum.
The problem is: action is never taken there against terrorists. Action is taken against ONLY THOSE who do not serve purposes of the establishment.
Hello Army, Any chances of operation here? Or the life of educated, peace loving Hazara people is of no value in this country...
And the systematic genocide of Hazaras continues!!
Now ask Mr. Musharraf who is the real enemy of Muslims?
How is it that killers of the Punjabi immigrants get arrested within days and then go missing forever but the no killer of Hazaras are ever caught?
That is called ethnic cleansing. Hazaras, Baloch,Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmedias, muhajirs, PHK muslims are not Pak so in land of so called pure kill them or convert them. No female being sexually used is impure. Let her be any one. A man can have more than one wife as per new ruling in Pak and that will not be a reason for divorce. It is basically agaiinst the preachings of Islam. Permission of the existing wife and the panchayat are mandatory. Panchayat is to confirm on financial status if a person if he can take care of two or more wives. And Pak claims to follow the dictates if Quran !!!!!!
First protect hazaras and save them. When pakistan cannot do this, why it talks about Kasmir?
Iranians are closely watching all the killings of Shia people.they harbour a deep grudge.
If Muslims get so agitated by Gujarat riots(in spite of riot started by Muslims which rarely Muslims accept of), than why are they so dumb and deaf on these daily terrorism attacks on Muslims them selves. Is it because the terrorists are Muslims themselves. Please check your own Pak website daily... at least one terrorist attack daily by Muslims on Muslims...
another example of the inefficiency of the sitting government
Please be aware that protection is provided to VIP's and their families not to the public in our democracy nevertheless threat is present since long time
So sad. I hope Imran or someone from PTI makes a point to go to Quetta.
@buck very true
RIP. Foreign hand?
Mr.CM Balochistan what will you say before the Lord on the day of judgement when He seeks an explanation about these killings ?
@Khopdee Yes..
so sad........... God plz save us from these terrorists
@Khopdee : yes, foreign hand Israel did it. Hope that made you fell better.
It looks the government has closed its eyes on this subject. This government has totally failed to protect the lives & properties of the Hazaras, Shame
@Khopdee .Naturally .It helps in keeping a national denial policy.
This is unrestricted madness and ethnic cleansing in full force. Yes, it is high time that the Pak Army started to clean up the mess of racial hatred in Baluchistan, KP, and Karachi. Also, get rid of the Indian, Afghan, and Saudi diplomats. Salams
Hazaras also go to mosques, pray Allah the great and share same DNA have same culture food habits. What do these terrorists want. First they discrimate between Muslims and others. Muslims constitute only 20% of population. God has not mandated that only Muslims should live on earth. After all human race existed before the dawn of Islam. And then these terrorists kill fellow muslims. High time governments monitor the madrassas and what goes on mosques. . Freedom of religion can't include freedom to kill fellow humans. Islam is one of the great religions of the world. These terrorists are defaming the great preachings of Quran.
@Irfan more Muslims are killed by Muslims in Pakistan than anywhere in the world. How many more do you want to kill
Genocide of minorities one by one..Hindu,Sikh, christian, Ahmedi now Shia...long list ..in Holy Land, How dare they talk about other country
Anywhere else in the world this would have been a national news but in Pakistan just another day. But we still want Kashmir
what is going in this country? Govt is total failure all over the country. Kab jaage gi yeh soui huwi Qoum?
yelling and screaming over Gujarat riot which occurred decade ago!!When the PAK mass will cry and raise voice against almost daily killing of their citizen? I believe more than 50000 people have died in ethnic, religious and terrorist violence in past one decade which is much much more than the casualties in India during same period, India which is many folds larger than PAK.
Once again they are targeted in Quetta...They have been sacrificing for quite some time and there is no one to help them except giving sympathy to them..We always listen that gunmen escaped quickly from the spot and i am sure even if they get the CC camera footage government will not identify them.
pak. in past use these elements in kashmir, but india did not give in. now they are doing their activity in pak. pak must inderstand no double standard on terrirism. killing innocent is terrirism. india is safe pl tell anybody of yr friends in india. pak. foreign policy is failed, as a result all neighbouring countries are suffering.
What would you do if you were a Hazara living in Balochistan?
If they really want they can catch the perpetrators
This is sad! At least this got reported. I really wonder about Shias of gilgit and baltistan
@Nahidiya : I'd get out of there immediately,.that's all one can do..journey will be perilous and fraught with dangers, but, anything is better than living in daily fear of death..I just can't imagine what they must be going through, not to mention families of other persecuted minorities..
Zaid Hamid...... who is behind this attack? India, USA, Canada, Briton Israel or any other European countries???? Please clarify.
AZAD BALOCHISTAN IS THE SOLLUTION
This is not sectarian war this is genocide.
That's why Iran doesn't like us.
The killing of Hazaras is not merely an inncident of sectarianism, indeed it is pre-planned massacre to achieve disguise motives. Today occurred malicious target killing of eight impecunious Hazara vegetable vendors. It is another brutal act which has occurred in this month. Most of our soulless Pakistanis are paying no heed at what is going on in Balochistan because they have expressed their sympathies to Gaza people. Our controlled, prejudiced and immoral media are as much responsible as the state because they haven't exhibited the genuine image of what is taking place in Balochistan. We are fed up pleading in front of inhuman Pakistanis and their flawed judicial system, Is there any way that we can take up our miseries to the United Nations or International Court of Justice?
@being human "Now ask Mr. Musharraf who is the real enemy of Muslims?". Muslims have many enemies.
@Jalal Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Djibouti, Guam
I still believe, a Muslim whether Shia, Sunni or Wahabi can not kill one another.
Calm down! these are not unexpected...
Many people are dead or injured and Pak and Indians are busy scoring political points against each other most of the time.
Mr. Nawaz Sharif time for taking notice is over, you're enjoying the ride as PM while doing nothing. Do you think that you can fool around nation only with those routine statements?
Many educated and responsible citizens of Pakistan know that those elements are patronized by you and your brother CM Punjab. Just recently, banned outfits took over streets of Islamabad against the sit-in of PAT/PTI to save your rule in the name of saving democracy.
And, the most painful thing is 'SILENCE' of society they know well who is 'OPPRESSOR' and who being 'OPPRESSED'
Massacres and genocide of shias and as usual condemnations and false pledged of using iron hand everyone knows killers their supporters financier and backer but no body dare to touch them some are in collaboration .hopeless really
The CM of Baluchistan should resign and any body else should come in his place who can ensure safety and security of the people. There is no reason now left for staying him in power.
akhir kb tk ?? for God sake Govt. . pl. do something ...
I blame it on politician, government and criminal clergy who spell hatred. How it's possible to kill in open day light and not ever get arrested and if arrested Pakistani court releases them because the witness are dead. Shame on Pakistan and Pakistani where no one has any sympathy and next day as nothing happened
@Aysha.... it is called anarchy
@Irfan when will it stop.... never... unless the people rise up.... i don't think that is going to happen
Another shameful day for the government!
Everyone knows where they lives in Khuzdar, Mastung, Pajpai, Saryab Road and Kili Ismail, why can't they apprehend these terrorists? Every day we see statement of these people in local news papers?
namaloom afrad..in action
now people should be worried............Prime Minister took notice and will ask IGP for report and the report will be thrown in dust bin.. everything will be forgotten till another killing
Education much needed in Balochistan.
@rahela Ethnic cleansing can be eliminated by education. It is govt's job to educate people.
@sumair Yes take up the arms and protect yourself as Government has failed to provide constitutional safeguard to life and property. Seek these killers and kill them.
Gen Musharraf should open his dirty mouth now to tell who killed these innocent people. He is faking to be sick to avoid justice. really a great general!!
please stop
Pakistan was mainly created for Muslims, even though other religions too were permitted and allowed to practice their religions in peace and harmony with no interference. But these Hazaras firstly humans and Muslims - why are they being killed. What is it the Pakistanis want?
@Nahidiya I would return to Afghanistan. remember that all Hazaras are refugees from Afghanistan and they first started coming to Pakistan in the 1920s and most came after 1979. If Pakistan is as bad as you say then they can head to their own country Afghanistan, or to the country funding trouble in Pakistan called Iran.
we just keep adding more wounds to this already frail body of ours-
wht shall become if things stay this way ?
'living is not just surviving' - for us it is reduced to this - mere survival
When will this genocide end.
@PEACE Lover Agreed
Chief Minister must resign for failing to protect life in the province. Not fit for job. Please leave politics, you cannot control crimes or protect human life from violence.
Muslims are their own worst enemy
These are innocent people. Who will protect them? They are leaving their land for the sake of protection. Nobody is helping these people. Already thousands have been killed. Shame on those who kill and those who stay silent.
Full scale operation is much needed in Balochistan and Karachi as well to get rid of the menace of terrorism
Pakistan seem to be more interested in PM Modi than it's own people.
@david. Great Idea will never happen
@Haider Rehman ... just in Balochistan..? what about the rest?
Why can't Hazaras defend themselves? why are they sitting ducks? Why are they prey to these beasts? What is the government of Pakistan doing to stop this forever?
These are Baluch separatist who have caused a lot of problems to non Baluchis living in Baluchistan
@Irfan The moment you stop blaming others and start action against the culprits.
internal enemies of Pakistan must be uprooted completely with a no quarter given policy
RIP
@Ali
No, just Pakistan.
I just cannot understand despite having such grave issues in Pakistan , why Pakistan is obsessed with kashmir?Pakistan is not able to manage a small size country where everyday ethnic cleansing happens,and still bragging about being force to reckon and other blah blah . . Really pathetic situation and mindset.
operation must needed in Quetta against outfit and outlawed