Quetta blast leaves three dead, seven injured
NACTA had issued a threat alert for Peshawar and Quetta, saying that TTP was planning terrorist activities there
October 25, 2020
At least three people died and seven were injured as a remote-controlled bomb exploded in Quetta on Sunday, police said.
Pakistan Democratic Movement's jalsa was taking place in the city while the blast occurred.
According to police, it took place at the Hazarganji fruit market on the outskirts of Quetta, where terrorists had planted explosives in a motorcycle.
Preliminary investigations revealed that explosives weighing four to five kilogrammes were used in the attack.
Read more: TTP planning terror attacks in Peshawar, Quetta
Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan condemned the incident and said that terrorist elements seek to shatter the peace of Quetta in a bid to achieve their nefarious aims.
The chief minister directed authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured.
Warning issued
Two days earlier, the Balochistan government had urged the PDM leadership to delay its October 25 jalsa in Quetta, citing security concerns.
"Terrorists are targeting political leadership in Balochistan," said Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson, during a news conference.
Read more: Balochistan govt urges PDM to delay Quetta jalsa amid security fears
Shahwani's comments came after the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) in Islamabad issued a threat alert for Peshawar and Quetta, saying that banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning terrorist activities in the two cities.
A statement by the authority said that the TTP aims to target religious and political parties in bomb attacks and suicide bombings.
Correction: An earlier version of the story erroneously stated that seven people had been killed in the blast in Quetta. The error is regretted.
