QUETTA: The Counterterrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday registered an FIR against unidentified people over a suicide attack targeting the convoy of Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq in Balochistan.

On Friday, Mr Haq narrowly escaped the suicide attack near his vehicle while travelling with party workers to Zhob town from Quetta to address a public meeting. The blast left seven people injured.

Officials said the FIR was registered against unknown people, and the CTD and police launched a joint investigation into the incident.

The body parts of the suspected suicide bomber had been shifted to the Zhob district hospital but could not be identified so far, officials said, adding that the body parts would be sent to the Punjab forensic laboratory for further examination.

Bomb disposal squad officials who collected evidence from the site said the JI emir and other party leaders escaped the suicide attack unscathed, as the explosive vest used by the bomber could not be fully detonated.

Officials said efforts were underway to trace the culprits who facilitated the bomber. “The facilitators and the mastermind of the attack will soon be brought to justice,” a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, JI emir Sirajul Haq was shifted to Quetta in a Balochistan government helicopter on Saturday.

The party workers and supporters protested in front of the Quetta Press Club against the attack targeting the party leader’s convoy.

Party leaders who addressed the gathering condemned the attack and described it as a conspiracy to eliminate the party leadership.

They called for the arrest of elements behind the incident.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2023