Five Martyred, 19 Injured In Sibi Bomb Blast
SIBI/ISLAMABAD – Five security personnel were martyred and 19 others injured in a powerful bomb blast in Sibi district of Balochistan, police and rescue workers said on Tuesday.
According to police sources, all the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. The condition of five of the wounded was said to be serious till late Tuesday. The critically injured were being shifted to Quetta for treatment.
Reportedly, Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sarwar Hashmi said that 16 of the 19 injured were security personnel. A senior official of the Balochistan’s Counterterrorism department, Hafeez Rind, said the blast appeared to be a suicide attack; however, the investigations were underway.
The blast occurred near an open area where the annual Sibi Mela was being held. “The blast took place 30 minutes after President Arif Alvi attended the festival in Sibi,” Rind said. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo strongly condemned the blast and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives. The Chief Minister said anti-state elements cannot digest the development of Balochistan, and such cowardly attacks cannot deter nation’s resolve to eliminate the menace.
Security Forces on Tuesday killed seven terrorists including Commanders Hasil Doda and Washdil during an intelligence based operation (IBO) conducted on information of presence of a terrorists’ Hideout in general area Gorchop, Turbat, Balochistan.
The Security Forces conducted the IBO to apprehend externally sponsored enemies of peace in Balochistan who have been killed in ensuing heavy exchange of fire, says a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“Once the troops started clearance operation in the area, Terrorists tried to escape from their camp and opened indiscriminate fire onto security forces,” it said. These terrorists were involved in recent firing and attacks on the security forces in Makran Division, the ISPR said.
In addition, a significant cache of arms and ammunition has also been recovered which was intended to be used in terrorist activities.
The military’s media wing further said operations to eliminate such perpetrators of terrorist acts in Pakistan would continue and they would not be allowed to sabotage peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.