QUETTA: At least five people were killed and 12 others wounded in a blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel Wednesday night. A heavy contingent of security forces reached the site and secured a perimeter around the site.
Three out of total five people killed in the attack, have been identified as police officer Shujaat Abbasi, hotel security in charge Shahzaib Yousafzai, and private security guard Asadullah.
The Serena Hotel is the best known in Quetta, and provides accommodation for government officials and visiting dignitaries.
On the other hand, the Balochistan police have obtained CCTV footage of the hotel’s parking lot.
The hotel premises has been cordoned off and personnel of the Counter-Terrorism Department have been deployed to investigate the explosion.
Balochistan Inspector General Muhammad Tahir Rai told the media that neither the Chinese ambassador nor other members of any foreign delegation were staying at the hotel when the blast occurred.
The CTD and police have begun investigations into the blast and will ensure perpetrators are punished, he said.
Balochistan health authorities have confirmed the bomb explosion and death of four persons by explosion and injuries of 12 others.
The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan is suspected to have been the target of the attack in the car park of the Serena Hotel.
He is understood to be in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province near the Afghan border, but was not present at the scene at the time.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have claimed the attack, without giving details.
“The blast took place in the parking of Serena Hotel,” Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson said.
Balochistan’s provincial Home Minister Ziaullah Lango told reporters that Mr Nong, the Chinese Ambassador was “in high spirits” and that his visit to Quetta would conclude on Thursday.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the casualties in the blast. “We have taken this seriously,” he said. “It came at a time when the Chinese ambassador was staying at the hotel but it has been foiled.”
Read more: Four killed, 12 injured in explosion at Quetta’s Serena Hotel
