COAS orders special combing operations across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Following the deadly attack at Quetta's Civil Hospital, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has ordered special combing operations, authorising intelligence agencies to go anywhere in the country and target those linked with the terror acts.

The Army chief arrived in Quetta hours after the attack on Monday evening to chair a high-level security conference with the civilian and military leadership.

Arrive in the provincial capital, the Army chief visited the Balochistan High Court to offer condolences with the Balochistan Chief Justice and a panel of judges for all those who had lost their lives in the attack.

Gen Raheel Sharif also visited the injured persons at the Civil Hospital and expressed solidarity with them, said a press statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

"Having been defeated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists are shifting their focus to Balochistan," the Army chief was quoted as saying at the security meeting, which was also attended by the provincial chief minister, chief secretary and the Commander Southern Command.

The Army chief said the attack was an attempt to undermine the improved security in Balochistan, and particularly to target the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Army chief ordered special combing operations, allowing "intelligence agencies to go anywhere in the country to target anyone linked with these terror acts," said the ISPR statement.

He ordered that all resources be employed to control the situation.

At least 64 people were killed and over 40 injured when the powerful explosion ripped through the Civil Hospital in the provincial capital.

The explosion rocked the hospital complex when Balochistan Bar Association President Bilal Kasi's body was being brought to the emergency department after he was gunned down at Mano Jan Road earlier today.

The Daesh militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.