Daily Times

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday registered a case against unknown persons involved in the Quetta mosque explosion which martyred three people including the prayer leaderThe explosion occurred at the densely populated Pashtun Abad area of the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Police officials said that the intensity of the blast can be evaluated from the shattering of window glasses of nearby buildings. The officials added that the explosion was carried out when people started gathering for the Friday sermon. At least 28 worshippers were also injured when the blast went off during a Friday sermon at Rahmaniya Mosque in Pashtoonabad. Charges of murder, attempt to murder and terrorism were included in the case.

The martyred were identified as prayer leader Hafiz Ataur Rehman, Shahbaz and Sultan.

A heavy contingent of police, Frontier Corps and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) rushed to the mosque on May 24 and shifted the bodies and the injured to Civil Hospital, Quetta. SSP Operations Bahram Mandokhail confirmed up to two to three kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the attack.

A video available with private news channel showed debris strewn around the mosque with ceiling tiles lying shattered on the floor. The unfortunate incident occurred despite a claim by police that over 1,500 personnel were deployed across Quetta for providing security to mosques and worshippers during Friday prayers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the blast. “The prime minister has sought a report into the incident from the authorities concerned,” said a PM Office statement on Friday. He directed for provision of the best possible healthcare facilities to those injured and also prayed for their early recovery.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan also condemned the attack and expressed grief and sorrow over the killings of the innocent citizens. Kamal also directed doctors to impart quality treatment to the injured at the civil hospital. Separately, Provincial Home Minister Zia Langove also condemned the attack, directing authorities to ensure more security at all mosques across the province.