Quetta: Police official among 15 martyred in explosion at mosque

QUETTA: At least 15 people, including a senior police official, were martyred on Friday when an explosion ripped through a mosque in Quetta's Satellite Town area, police and officials said.

In the incident, 20 others were injured at the mosque located in the densely populated Ghousabad neighbourhood in Satellite Town area.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amanullah was among the  persons who lost their lives in explosion, police officials confirmed.

The injured were shifted to the hospital, rescue officials said.

DSP Amanullah was deployed at police training college Sariab road, said police, adding that the official’s son was martyred in firing a month earlier.

Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove condemned the blast,  saying: " Enemies of Pakistan and Balochistan cannot see peace prevailing but the government will remain undeterred in safeguarding its people."

COAS says will give full assistance to police and civil administration

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa said that Pakistan Army will give complete assistance to police and the civil administration, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet.

The DG ISPR conveyed the COAS’ message and quoted him as saying: “Those who targeted innocents in a mosque can never be true Muslim.”

The army’s spokesman said that the Frontier Corps personnel reached the site of the blast. 

Security put on high alert in Punjab

Inspector General of Police Punjab Shoaib Dastagir expressed grief over the precious lives lost in today's blast in Quetta, his spokesperson said.

The high-ranking police official has put the province’s security on high alert after the blast.

The IG also ordered to increase the security of sensitive areas, hospitals and worship places, the spokesperson added.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, two people were killed and 14 were injured in a blast near McConaghey Road in Quetta.

Initial findings suggested that explosive material was installed on a bike, which was detonated in the proximity of an FC vehicle. In the explosion, nearby shops were damaged and a motorcycle parked nearby caught fire.

Balochistan Home Minister Langove condemned the blast. He said miscreant elements were trying to disturb the law and order situation of the province.