QUETTA: The death toll in Thursday night’s bomb blast rose to six as two injured succumbed to injuries on Friday.

“Another two workers [of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Ideological] lost their lives. They had received multiple injuries in the explosion,” said Maulana Abdul Sattar Chishti, provincial information secretary of the party. The deceased were identified as Sanaullah and Mohammed Ramzan.

Maulana Chishti said that condition of some other injured persons was critical.

The explosion took place on Thursday night at the gate of Science College in Quetta when workers and leaders of the JUI-I were returning from the college auditorium at the end of Shuhada Conference. Four people were killed and 16 others injured in the blast.

Remote-controlled IED targeted workers of JUI faction

“Thirteen injured are still under treatment in the civil hospital,” police said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Counter-Terrorism Department has lodged a case against unknown people.

Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha, Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, Adviser to the CM on Home Affairs Mir Ziaullah Langove, Finance Minister Noor Mohammad Dammar and others have condemned the blast and termed it an inhuman act.

Mr Agha said that the elements who were behind the blast would be brought to justice soon. He directed the health department to provide best medical treatment to the injured.

The chief minister has taken serious notice of the blast and expressed dissatisfaction over the security arrangement in the provincial capital and sought a report from the inspector general police in this regard.

“Protection of life and property of the people is prime responsibility of the police and other security institutions,” he said.

Mr Bizenjo directed the IG police and the adviser on home affairs to review the security plan and take steps for making security more effective.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2022