QUETTA: Police foiled a terrorist attack on an imambargah in the provincial capital by killing a would-be suicide bomber at its gate on Thursday, sources said.

Police officials told Dawn that a suspect wearing a burqa tried to enter the imambargah but was stopped by the policemen posted at its gate.

At this, the suspect wearing a ladies dress hurled a grenade at the security personnel. A policeman was injured in the explosion that followed.

In the meantime, the other policemen at the gate opened fire on the suspect, injuring him. The assailant later died of his injuries.

Deputy Inspector General of Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema confirmed the incident and said a police constable was injured in the botched attack.

“The suicide bomber, wearing a burqa, tried to barge into the imambargah and tried to detonate his explosives-laden jacket, but failed,” he said.

Many people were offering prayers at the imambargah at the time of the incident, he added.

According to a member of the bomb disposal squad, about 3kg explosives was packed in the jacket worn by the suspect. It also contained ball bearings and iron nails.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2019