Three policemen were martyred and 16 others were injured on Tuesday when a vehicle belonging to the Balochistan Constabulary was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) on Dasht Road in Balochistan's Mastung district.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, the vehicle was carrying personnel returning from Kalat when the explosion occurred.
Rind confirmed that 16 personnel were injured in the blast, with two reported to be in critical condition. All the injured were initially shifted to a nearby hospital, while those with serious injuries were moved to Quetta.
In response to the incident, an emergency was declared at both Bolan Medical Complex Hospital and Civil Hospital in Quetta.
Security forces have cordoned off the area, and an investigation into the attack is underway. No group has claimed responsibility so far.
President, PM condemn blast
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting a vehicle of the Balochistan Constabulary in the Shamsabad area of Mastung district.
In separate statements, both leaders expressed deep sorrow over the loss of three personnel who were martyred in the attack. They extended prayers for the departed souls and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
President Zardari also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to eliminating terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure immediate and adequate medical treatment for the injured. He vowed to continue the fight against terrorism, stating, “We will thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists, who are enemies of humanity. Our war against terrorism will persist until this menace is completely eradicated from the country.”
Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti alos condemned the blast and directed for the provision of better medical care to the injured.
In a statement, Sarfraz Bugti said that no negligence would be tolerated in the treatment of the injured, and the Government of Balochistan would stand shoulder to shoulder with the martyrs.
Last month, a suicide blast had occurred near the BNP-Mengal sit-in at Lak Pass. Fortunately, however, there had been no casualties in the attack.
It may be mentioned here that the BNP-Mengal chief has been staging a sit-in at the Lak Pass area of Mastung for over two weeks. He has warned that the protest would continue until the women detainees were freed.
Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Salim Khoso and other ministers from the party have also attempted to engage with Mengal and convince him to end the protest. However, Mengal has remained firm in his stance.
