Shia Muslim women shout slogans during a protest to condemn Saturday's bombing in Quetta. -AP Photo

QUETTA: The Hazara Shia protesters have refused to bury the dead bodies of the people killed in Saturday's suicide attack, despite long negotiations with officials of the Balochistan Government.

The officials held a series of meetings but failed to convince the angry protesters to call off their strike.

"Until our demands are met, we will continue our protest," said Syed Dawood Agha, the President Balochistan Shia Conference.

"We will not bury the 84 dead bodies and continue our protest," Agha said.

He demanded that targeted operation by the Pakistan Army must be conducted against terrorists since civilian law enforcers have failed to provide protection to Shia Muslims.

In sub-zero temperature, Hazara women started their protest in Hazara Town area of Quetta to mourn the killings.

"We will continue the protest until the terrorist gang is busted," one of the protesters said.

She said the ethnic Hazaras have decided in principle not to bury the dead, since the government was paying mere lip service to them.

Despite chilly weather, women and children on the road continued with their protest.

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