QUETTA: At least nine people have died and 44 have been injured in an attack on Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Zarghoon Road.
Civil Hospital spokesperson told that 9 people have died and 44 injured have been brought to the hospital so far, including children and women. 9 of the injured are critical.
Police told the media that the terrorists were unable to break into the church and all the deaths and injuries were caused by the braking of the glass and other things inside the church.
According to reports, the attack was carried out by four terrorists. One of them was killed outside the church, one was able to break into the church but was injured by a bullet and thus blew himself up at the gate. The other two escaped the scene and a search operation is still continuing in the area.
Home Minister talks to media
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti told that two suicide bombers attacked the church. One of the two was shot dead on the road just outside the church while the other one succeeded to break into the church and blew himself up.
Bugti told that he was unable to share the exact number of people attending the service today but generally three to four hundred people visited the church on Sundays. He added that security at the church was beefed up in view of the approaching Christmas.
The church has been cleared out while police IG and Quetta Commissioner are currently surveying the scene. It is a residential area and the security forces are conducting the sweeping operation.
Eyewitness account
An eyewitness told that the attack was carried out from outside of the church. She told that people also received bullets during the attack.
Situation at the hospitals
Four of the dead have been identified. Health Minister Rehmat Baloch had initially claimed that four people were brought to the hospital and had minor injuries.
Most of the injured have been shifted to the hospital but there are a lot of people still inside. The church building was damaged. Terrorists are still feared to be inside the church and an exchange of fire also ensued after the attack.
An emergency has been imposed in Quetta’s hospitals. Eight have been confirmed dead by Civil Hospital while 44 injured were brought here; 9 out of the injured are critical.
Condemnations and condolences
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack on Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta. In his statement, the president stated that such cowardly attacks would not be able to shake the nation’s resolve to fight terrorism.
Also read: President, PM Abbasi condemn attack on church in Quetta
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa strongly condemned the attack, terming it an attempt to sully the national unity.
“Quetta church attack targeting our brotherly Christian Pakistanis is an attempt to cloud Christmas celebrations / create religious cleavages. Effective response by LEAs is commendable. We stay united and steadfast to respond against such heinous attempts” COAS.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 17, 2017
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has also condemned the tragic incident, saying the government must ensure special protection for churches as Christmas approaches.
Strongly condemn terror attack on church in Quetta targeting our innocent citizens during their prayer service. The govt must ensure special protection for churches as Christmas approaches. My prayers go to the victims' families & for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 17, 2017
Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif, took on twitter to offer condolences to the families of the victims.
In her statement, she said it was “a sad day for Pakistan”.
Heartfelt prayers for the injured & bereaved familes of Quetta blast. Sad day for Pakistan indeed.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) December 17, 2017
Talking to media, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the enemies of Pakistan wanted to spread chaos in the country. He said that Islam preached respect for the worship places of all the religions and reiterated that protection of the religious freedom of the minorities was everyone’s duty. He also vowed to continue the war on terror till its logical end.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah condemned the attack and ordered to augment the security at all the churches throughout the provinces. He expressed solidarity with the Christian community of the country.
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly Khalil George condemned the incident and especially admired the police and other security forces for neutralising the terrorists, avoiding a major ‘APS-like’ tragedy in the city.
Religious scholar Maulana Tahir Ashrafi said that it was an attack on Pakistan. “It is the duty of the state to provide protection to the minorities in an Islamic country”, he said. Ashrafi also appealed to the Muslims living in Quetta to donate blood to their Christian brethren.
Former Interior Minister of Pakistan Senator Rehman Malik says that the attack clearly has links with India, and is aimed at maligning Pakistan.
The attack has been condemned by Foreign Office.
Attack of terrorists on Zarghoon road church in Quetta is condemned. Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism cannot be deterred by these cowardly acts.
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 17, 2017
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has also condemned the incident, demanding a swift operation against the facilitators of the terrorists. He expressed concern over repeated terrorist attacks in Quetta.
Security beefed up in Lahore
Lahore CCPO Captain (r) Muhammad Amin Wains told Daily Times that the security in Punjab’s capital has also been beefed up in the wake of the Quetta terror attack. Operations DIG Haider Ashraf told that the police officials are on high alert at all the exit points of the city.
It’s a developing story