QUETTA: The death toll from the targeted suicide attack on a police truck in Balochistan has increased as the woman injured in the explosion succumbed to her injuries, while 28 including 23 cops were reportedly wounded.
Police shared the update on the number of casualties saying that the injured woman died during the treatment. Meanwhile, the hospital administration has said that most of the injured are out of danger.
Preliminary police investigations showed that a rickshaw hit the police truck. The Bomb Disposal Squad and forenisc officials gathered necessary evidence from the crime scene.
The law enforcement agency said in the initial statement said that a police truck was targeted in the explosion. They said that the injured cops and civilians were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Plice and rescue teams rushed to the site of the explosion as soon as the incident was reported. Assistance from the bomb disposal squad was also sought.
Meanwhile, Quetta Deputy Inspector General Ghulam Azfar Mahesar said in a media talk that the explosion was a suicide attack as they have found remains of a suicide bomber near the crime scene. He said that the police truck toppled due to the explosion and fell into a ravine.
Sharing the details of casualties and civilian cars affected, DIG Mehsar said that the cop was martyred as a result of being crushed under the truck when it fell into the ravine. He said that around 20 policemen and four civilians were injured. The condition of two of the cops is serious, he added.
As per the DIG, three vehicles, including the police truck, and two nearby cars were damaged in the explosion.
He said that the police truck was moving the police personnel deployed for the security of polio workers for the ongoing drive. He further stated that around 20-25 kilogrames of explosives were used in the attack.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Sheikh said that the “terrorists launched a cowardly attack on the police force”.
He said that such attacks will not lower the police’s morale.
“Protecting people’s lives and property is our job. Our morale high and our determination is strong,” the IGP said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi condemned the terrorist attack in separate statements.
PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate probe into the matter and issued directives for the provision of the best medical assistance to the injured.
“Polio workers are performing their duties to eradicate this disease [polio] without fearing for their lives. Complete eradication of polio is among the first priorities of the government,” PM Shehbaz said.
He further stated that the evil elements will keep failing in stopping the polio eradication campaign as the Pakistani nation and LEAs will not let their efforts become successful.
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