Police officer among three martyred, 25 injured in Quetta blast

DIG Fida Hussain while speaking to the media, said that around two kilograms of explosives was used in the blast. He said police and LEAs were investigating the incident from all angles.

Police officials told The Express Tribune that DSP Ajmal Saduzai had recently joined the force after completing the training course. He was sitting with his friend in one of the shops damaged in the blast, they added. Flames engulfed nearby shops due to the intensity of the blast. The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital, Quetta for medical treatment.

Police and other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident. They cordoned off the area and closed Fatima Jinnah Road and surrounding roads for all traffic.

In a statement, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, while strongly condemning the incident, directed hospitals in the provincial capital to impose an emergency.

He also instructed the hospital administrations to ensure the presence of all doctors and paramedical staff at all times.

The Balochistan CM said that terrorists and their abettors were getting external support. He directed the Balochistan IGP to submit a detailed report of the incident at the earliest.

“All resources should be utilized to bring those responsible for the incident to justice,” he said and directed officials to make security arrangements more effective.

Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab, taking to Twitter, also prayed for departed souls and the early recovery of those injured in the blast.