JUI-F leader laid to rest as parts of Balochistan observe shutter-down strike after Chaman blast

Published September 29, 2019
Thousands attended the funeral prayers for central leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Mohammad Hanif on Sunday. — Photo by author
Thousands attended the funeral prayers for central leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Mohammad Hanif on Sunday. — Photo by author

A complete shutter-down strike was observed across parts of Balochistan on Sunday as central leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Mohammad Hanif was laid to rest, a day after he was killed in an explosion that ripped through the main bazaar of Chaman.

Two others were killed and at least 11 individuals were injured in Saturday's explosion in the border town of the Qilla Abdullah district. According to police officials, the bomb was an improvised explosive device (IED) which was planted in a motorcycle parked on the roadside. They had added that Hanif was the target of the attack.

Thousands attended the funeral prayers for the slain JUI-F leader today, including provincial leaders Ameer of JUI-F's Balochistan chapter Maulana Abdul Wasay, Senator Usman Khan Kakar, provincial president of Awami National Party Asghar Khan Achakzai and MNA Salahuddin Ayubi. Commandant of the Frontier Corps Chaman Scouts wing Col Khurram Javed, Chaman Deputy Commissioner Bashir Khan and District Police Officer Shaukat Mohammad also participated in the funeral prayers.

DC Khan said that the suspects would be arrested, adding that all security agencies were on high alert in order to maintain the law and order situation.

The shutter-down strike was observed in Chaman as well as in other parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Pishin, Hub, Sibi, Noshki and Harnai district. All main shopping centres remained closed in Quetta in response to a call for shutdown given by JUI-F Balochistan and traders' organisations.

Meanwhile, Chaman Assistant Commissioner Yasir Dashti said that a case regarding the blast has been registered with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). He said that after the blast, strict security arrangements have been made in Chaman and along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Dashti said that the investigation by the police and other institutions is underway and they are investigating various motives. He added that no arrests have been made as yet.

Additional reporting by Ismail Sasoli

Opinion

Editorial

By-election trends
Updated 23 Apr, 2024

By-election trends

Unless the culture of violence and rigging is rooted out, the credibility of the electoral process in Pakistan will continue to remain under a cloud.
Privatising PIA
23 Apr, 2024

Privatising PIA

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s reaffirmation that the process of disinvestment of the loss-making national...
Suffering in captivity
23 Apr, 2024

Suffering in captivity

YET another animal — a lioness — is critically ill at the Karachi Zoo. The feline, emaciated and barely able to...
Not without reform
Updated 22 Apr, 2024

Not without reform

The problem with us is that our ruling elite is still trying to find a way around the tough reforms that will hit their privileges.
Raisi’s visit
22 Apr, 2024

Raisi’s visit

IRANIAN President Ebrahim Raisi, who begins his three-day trip to Pakistan today, will be visiting the country ...
Janus-faced
22 Apr, 2024

Janus-faced

THE US has done it again. While officially insisting it is committed to a peaceful resolution to the...