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QUETTA: At least four women belonging to the ethnic Hazara Shia community were killed and one injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a bus on Kirani road near Pud Gali Chowk area of the provincial capital on Tuesday evening.
"The bus was stopped and the women were shot because of their ethnicity," said provincial government's spokesman Anwarul Haq Kakar.
A senior police official also confirmed to Dawn.com that the deceased women belonged to the ethnic Hazara Shia minority community and were allegedly targeted due to their sect.
"It was a public transport bus and had eight women on board, out of which five were hit during the attack," said DIG Operations of Quetta police.
Police officials said the bus was travelling to Hazara Town when it was attacked by unidentified assailants.
Frontier Corps and police teams were dispatched to the area to control the situation. The injured were taken to Bolan Medical Hospital in Quetta for treatment and security in and around the hospital was tightened.
Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri condemned the incident.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, while addressing a press conference, said that Indian agency RAW's involvement can not be ruled out in the attack.
He added the terrorists picked a soft target, and all efforts would be made to arrest the culprits.
Balochistan has been experiencing incident violence and targeted killings since more than a decade. More than 1,400 incidents targeting the minority Shia and Hazara community have taken place in the province during the past 15 years.
While sectarian terrorism in Balochistan has disproportionately targeted the Hazara community, easily identifiable because of their distinctive physical appearance, other Shias — especially pilgrims travelling to and from Iran — have not been spared either.
Comments (59) Closed
Very sad.
Take the dead bodies of the innocent victims to the PM house, Place there in front and Ask for justice otherwise No chance.
This killing and terrorizing of minority religions and sects has to stop. Why is there so much hate against fellow humans? How is one religion or sect better than another to a point that the other has no right to live? The government, politicians, police and military must stop using violence on citizens otherwise these gunmen will think they also can use violence to take the lives of other humans.
Are foreign cell active in Quetta again??
Will our dear law enforcement can please take action against ramzan mengal of so called banned organization now or hazara shias keep on counting their deads please implement NAP
Here we go again. Another day, another blood bath of the innocent! Very sad!
rip pakistan not safe for minority
Welcome to bastion of fair treatment of minorities callec Islamic republic of Pakistan
Am I the only Muslim who is sick of other Muslims? In the name of religious piety, they kill, maim, blow up... What is happening to our Islam? What is happening to our country? Why are we becoming savages? How did we forget these words:
“Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
killing of poor hazara Muslims has become a norm in Pakistan. Pakistan quickly reacts to violations of border crossing while terrorist in shape of sipha sahaba lashkar jhangivi thrive under the patronage of state. Change the policy and crush these animals like Ramzan mengal cheif of sipah sahaba
Sad to see the killing of hazaras.
So sad... Its not good and right at all.
It is in everyone's interest that we uproot these terrorists in all their manifestations.
Rest In Peace.
What a shame. Killing innocent unarmed women. It's not religion, not at all.
@Ahmed Who decides if it was just or unjust?
Securing the citizenry from foreign actors is the real test for the provincial and federal administrations.
Okey, some one is not only trying to hurt one community but is trying to hurt Pakistan. Who wants to see Pakistan burn? Who would like to see Balochistan burn? Who would like to see the end of CPEC?
International community realized that minorities are not safe in Pakistan and security agencies are either unwilling or unable to provide safety to them. Every one of these violent incidents proves vulnerability of Shias, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in our beloved country. If this kind of violence continues, why would Kashmiris want to become part of Pakistan? They are better off in India where they will feel safe. Stop this violence. Shame on Pakistan.
@The end is near . Bhai Jan, that will not help. This is just a collateral damage as far as our Govt. is concerned. It is still not understanding the problems that we have in store by supporting the terrorists as a state policy. If the govt takes some strict action in the north-west, the haqqanis will do this, if south, the jundallahs will do this, if the east, the LeT and JeMs will do this. We need to get this rot out first.
@Ahmed Its indeed very sad that Muslim societies are becoming synonymous with violence and bloodshed. Non Muslims are really scared of you people now. Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino, US, Mumbai, the list is endless.
@rajesh the same case in India. Dalits are the best examples.
But Raheel Sharief said Jurbe Asab was successful in that region...he is highly decorated Army officer, not sure for which war...So sorry we are seeing human dying both sides of the border ...
What has government done to protect the minorities in Pakistan other than meaningless statements, shonky investigations and mock trials?
This was done by the enemies of Pakistan.
Shame on us
These were someones mothers, someones daughters..... This is distressful and what makes it worse is that our society is getting immune to such senseless violence.
Sad news!!
Only cowards will do that kind of criminal act of killing unarmed innocent civilians
@rajesh You think India is a safe place for minorities
@The end is near............ many times in past this happened a you suggested but still to this day not a single person has been arrested!
My prayers and kind wishes for families of victims. Before men were killed and ladies along with kids spared when they had to shoot. But now ladies are shot.
Have mercy God on us and the victims and the Killers.... Humanity has lost!
I refuse to use the term 'soft targets' and dehumanize them just because the state finds it prudent not to go after the perpetrators. Mind you, these are not lone-wolf attacks.
We Sunnis should realize that today those who are killing Shias and Hazaras will come start killing us. Our silence is criminal. The killer have no religion and no sect. They are against humanity and against Islam.
@Ahmed what 1.6billion muslims are like this?, i get what u mean but u dont hear white americans saying i what u said after how many cops kille blacks or mass school shooting by whote chrostians. Stop paonting all muslims with the same brush will help. Theres good and bad everwhere.
"Foreign agents of terror" active again. You know which one I'm talking about.
So sad, why do we have so much trouble everywhere, RIP!
i ll sleep tognight again with sorrow
People who kill innocents do know, if there is something called god. If yes, then why kill. They don't have fear.
The terrorists are very determined to make sure peace never returns to Pakistan...and we know who holds such extreme hatred of Pakistan to be so motivated.....
Sanaullah Zehri condemned the incident thanks very much sir that's what we need from you.
I will again close my eyes and say it has nothing to do with religion
I find it odd that someone would target them just because of their ''sect'' unless the intention is to cede discord. It is clear that these so called target killers are on foreign payrolls and seems to be act when there is a need to keep the people Pakistan divided which they will fail to do. The people of Pakistan irrespective of their background, ethnic group or religion stand side by side with the Hazara community. I doubt this attack has anything to do with sect but more to do with creating problems and may even be a personal vendetta against the women. Only cowards do such things.
Killed four helpless innocent women, is that bravery? I really will like to know mindset of these weird men and their leaders.
Shame for killers to killed women, No religion allowed killing even animal. what CM and Interior Minister doing poor intelligence agency.
A bunch of sick people.
We are so worried about people in other countries but not ours.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE
INNALILAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAJIOON, Really very sad news.
Cowards and scum of the earth who did it.
High time to crush Banned Organisation. Complete implementation of NAP is essential.
A deplorable and cowardly act. May the souls rest in peace.
RIP
Damn Security where is it ???? When such thing happens it means our organizations are not doing their job?
Cowards & hate mongers are killing women now. An all out action is needed against them.
I wonder if these cancerous gunmen or bombers have the guts to even face a woman, a child or the elderly........! Shame on those who remain quiet or walk away from such incidences......... !
Foreign hand once again I hear. But in the meantime, has anyone from the Ulemma in Pakistan condemned this act? I doubt very much.
So sad, Fundamentalism and ethnic differences among Muslims is tearing communities and countries apart. Muslims must follow life of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who was symbol for forgiveness and love for all.
Shame on killing women!