QUETTA: At least four persons were killed and six others sustained injuries when a plant device went off during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s rally on Jinnah Road in Sibbi on Tuesday, the rescue and police officials confirmed.
According to police, the improvised explosive device (IED) was planted on Jinnah Road. It targeted the election rally of the PTI candidate Saddam Khan Tareen in Sibbi.
The injured persons were shifted to Civil Hospital Sibbi by Saiban Ambulance service. The hospital sources claimed that some of the injured persons were in critical condition.
سبّی میں تحریک انصاف کے قومی اسمبلی کے امیدوار NA-253 صدام ترین کے ریلی میں بم دھماکہ، اب تک 3 پاکستانی شہید اور 7 زخمی ہیں، صدام ترین حملے میں محفوظ
صرف تحریک انصاف نہیں بلکہ پورا پاکستان اس دہشت گردی کی سخت ترین مزمت کرتا ہے #PakistanUnderFascism #اب_غلامی_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/ARvCDf2iGd
— PTI BALOCHISTAN (@PTIBaluchistan) January 30, 2024
The blast comes on the heel of a “thwarted coordinated attack” in Mach last night. Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA-Jeeyand Faction) accepted responsibility for the attack.
The security forces thwarted the attack and killed six terrorists in the subsequent clearance operation, the security forces said.
‘Death toll rise feared’
Confirming the casualties, Sibbi Police SHO Zakaullah Gujjar said the blast occurred at the city’s Jinnah Road.
The visuals show scenes from the area of the explosion at a PTI rally in Sibbi, Balochistan where smoke and dust has engulfed the road. https://t.co/DbpRseGOox pic.twitter.com/7ipWCP68q3
— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) January 30, 2024
Fearing death toll could rise, the police officer informed that condition of the injured persons, taken to Civil Hospital Sivbi, was critical.
“Security forces rushed to the spot immediately and cordoned off the area. Bomb disposal squad is collecting evidence from the crime scene”, he added.
Balochistan Health Secretary Abdullah Khan Noorzai imposed an emergency in all Quetta and Sibi hospitals in the wake of the blast, according to a statement from the provincial health department.
“Instructions have been issued to Sibbi’s medical superintendent to provide the best healthcare facilities to patients. All doctors and staff are instructed to be present on duty immediately,” the statement said.
‘ECP expresses concern over blast’
Following the blast, the spokesperson for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) expressed concern over the explosion during a political rally in Sibbi.
He said the ECP has sought a report from the Balochistan Chief Secretary and Inspector General (IG) of Police. The spokesperson said the ECP also directed a thorough investigate into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
