Pakistan is in a state of shock after terrorists struck at three cities, killing 73 people and wounding over 100, prompting the army to launch a countrywide crackdown on militants.
A suicide bomber yesterday blew up his explosives-laden car near Inspector General of Police Ehsan Mehboob’s office in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, killing at least 14 people, including seven policemen, and wounding 21 others.
The blast was claimed by both the local affiliate of the Islamic State terror group and by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), a splinter group of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Hours later, twin blasts tore through a market crowded with the people shopping for Eid in the Shia-dominated Parachinar city in the Kurram tribal region yesterday, killing at least 45 people, mostly Shias, and injuring 75 others.
Banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Sunni militant group linked to the Taliban took responsibility for the attack. The first blast occurred during rush hour in Turi Market, where a bus terminal is also located. The second blast took place as rescuers and bystanders rushed to aid those who had been hurt in the first explosion.
At least 45 people have been killed and 80 others injured in Parachinar, an official from the local administration said. Officials said the blasts on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan targeted people shopping in the area and those heading out of the city ahead of Eid.
Separately in the evening, three militants riding on two motorbikes killed four policemen in a restaurant in Karachi. Police said that a banned group was involved in the killing of cops in Karachi but did not identify the attackers.
The Pakistan army launched a countrywide intelligence-led military operation against militants.
Special Intelligence-Based Operation (IBOs) and search operations (were) launched in coordination with intelligence and other Law Enforcement Agencies.
The attacks were condemned by all parties. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attacks, saying that terrorists involved in the attacks will be taken to task and all out efforts will be taken to eliminate terrorism.
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