LARKANA/DERA MURAD JAMALI: As the victims of the suicide attack on a shrine in Jhal Magsi were buried in different towns and cities of Nasirabad division on Friday, a senior law enforcement officer said that police were investigating the militant Islamic State (IS) group’s claim that it had carried out the attack.

The death toll in the incident rose to 21 after two more injured victims died on Friday.

At least 35 people were wounded in the attack.

Death toll rises to 21; victims buried in towns, cities of Nasirabad division

Talking to journalists in Larkana, Nasirabad Deputy Inspector General Sharjeel Kharal said that 11 of the 35 injured were admitted to Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and five to Sibi Hospital, while the rest were released after treatment.

The DIG visited the casualty department of the CMCH along with Nasirabad Commissioner Ahmed Aziz and MPA Nadir Magsi to inquire after the health of the injured.

Accompanied by Larkana Commissioner Abbas Baloch, he said the suicide bomber had attempted to dodge the security staff deployed at the main entrance to the shrine, but when Constable Bahar Khan intercepted him he blew himself up.

The DIG said the bomber wanted to reach the place meant for distribution of food, but the constable had foiled his attempt.

Appreciating the bravery of the constable who had sacrificed his life and saved the lives of others at the shrine, he said Bahar Khan’s name had been recommended for the Quaid-i-Azam police award.

He said an operation against terrorists in Khuzdar and Jhal Magsi was being launched by Sindh police and Levies personnel.

He said he and his counterpart [DIG Larkana] were in contact to further strengthen security at border checkpoints.

Talking to Dawn, the Nasirabad DIG said that the Gandawa SHO on behalf of the state had registered an FIR against one unknown person [suicide bomber].

A team headed by Jhal Magsi SP Mohammed Iqbal had been constituted to investigate the incident, he added.

Sources in the CMCH said that two injured had succumbed to their injuries. They were identified as Nisar Ahmed, 45, and Nadir Ali,18.

The injured admitted to the hospital’s surgical unit include Ali Jan,60, Faqeer Mohammed, 40, Amir Jan Magsi, 22, Abdul Karim Lashari, 39, Abdul Hafeez Lashari 45, Ramzan Abro, 22, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, 13, Abdul Hameed Umrani, Rasool Bakhsh and Ms Kareema.

Ms Kareema was later shifted to a hospital in Karachi because of her critical condition, the sources said.

The Nasirabad commissioner said the injured were rushed to Larkana for immediate treatment because such medical facilities were not available in his district.

Meanwhile, the victims of the Fatehpur shrine suicide bombing were buried in Gandawa, Jhal Magsi, Dera Murad Jamali and Lehri areas of Nasirabad division amid tight security.

Majority of the victims belonged to Gandawah and Jhal Magsi areas who were buried in a graveyard adjacent to the shrine of Pir Rakhyal Shah.

A heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel was deployed in and around the graveyard and the shrine.

A large number of people were present on the occasion.

The funeral prayers for Constable Bahar Khan were held at Jhal Magsi police lines.

His body was later sent to his village Paach, where he was buried with official honours.

Jhal Magsi District Police Officer Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner Asad Kakar, senior officials and a large number of people attended his burial.

The bodies of other victims were sent to their native villages in other towns and cities where they were buried under tight security.

About 35 people, including police personnel, women and children, were injured in the suicide bombing.

Majority of the injured were shifted to Larkana and other hospitals of Sindh close to Balochistan.

Body parts of the suicide bomber were collected from the site and the sample would be sent to Islamabad for DNA test and his identification.

Police said the bomber was around 22 years old.

Further investigation was in progress.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2017