Mastung tragedy: Attack on bus kills 24 pilgrims, injures 44
The attack was carried out on 2 Quetta bound buses.
MASTUNG: (Dunya News) – At least 24 pilgrims have been killed while another 44 injured in a bomb attack on 2 buses en route to Quetta from Iran here on Tuesday. One of the two buses has been completely destroyed in the attack. Among injured are members of Levies convoy. The attack took place at Dareen Garh area of Mastung; preliminary reports suggest that around 100 KG of explosives was used to carry out the attack. Various organizations have announced 3-day mourning over the tragic incident and Hazara Democratic Party has announced a strike on Wednesday.
According to reports, a suicide bomber smashed a vehicle -- filled with 100 KG of explosives – into two buses that were carrying pilgrims from Iran to Quetta. The intensity of the explosion set the area ablaze. According the reports, the attack site represents carnage with several body fragments and luggage scattered over the area.
Security vehicles were also hit as a result. Casualties include women and members of levies convoy. The injured have been rushed to the hospitals in Quetta.
Various organization including Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) have expressed grief over the incident announcing a 30-day mourning period whereas Hazara Democratic Party has called for strike across Quetta city on Wednesday.
Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch sought the report of the tragedy. President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari, Muttehda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Jamaat Islami chief Munnawar Hassan and various other leaders have strongly condemned the attack.
It is pertinent to mention here that this isn’t a first attack on pilgrims in Balochistan. Terrorists have killed dozens in similar incidents. Earlier this month, on January 1, 2014, a similar attack had left 3 dead and 49 injured. Prior to that, another attack took place on October 26, 2013 also in Mastung, 2 security personnel were hit and subsequently martyred while successfully foiling the attempt to blow the bus with explosives. In another incident on December 30, 2012, 19 pilgrims were martyred while injuring several others. Same year on December 21, another attack on bus claimed 3 lives. On December 19 also in 2012, another attack on pilgrims’ bus had claimed 3 lives and injured many.
Same year, on June 8 2013, another bus en route to Iran carrying pilgrims was targeted resulting in martyrdom of 6; while another bus was blown with remote control explosive on June 11.
