Schoolchildren among nine killed in Mastung explosion targeting polio workers

• Bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked on footpath: police

• Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti condemns the explosion.
• Emergency has been declared across all Quetta hospitals.
  

At least nine people, including five schoolchildren and a policeman, were killed in an explosion targeting security personnel guarding polio vaccinators in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday.

The incident took place near the Girls High School at the Civil Hospital Chowk in Mastung.

After being informed, police and rescue officials rushed to the scene and shifted the injured and the bodies to the hospital for medico-legal formalities. The bomb disposal squad also reached the spot soon after the explosion and started collecting evidence.

In a statement, the hospital administration added that 33 injured people were undergoing treatment at DHQ and Nawab Hospital in Mastung, among which most were schoolchildren. The ages of the deceased schoolchildren, which include girls and boys, are between 10 to 13 years old, while four policemen are among the injured.

After the initial investigations, Mastung DSP revealed that the bomb was installed in a motorcycle parked on the footpath near the crime scene.

“The blast was aimed at targeting police personnel guarding a team of polio vaccinators.”

Ten to eight kilograms of explosive material was used in the blast, the police officer added.

Soon after the blast, an emergency was declared across all Quetta hospitals including the Civil Hospital, BMC Hospital and Trauma Centre, said the provincial health department spokesperson, adding that all doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and other medical staff have been summoned.

The spokesperson said that nine people injured in the blast, among which the condition of three is critical, were shifted to the Trauma Center in Quetta. The injured were being treated at the hospital.

The state of law and order in Pakistan, particularly in restive provinces Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has remained impacted by terrorist activities with several innocent lives of civilians and security personnel including police and military soldiers, lost to the menace.

Today's blast in the country's southwestern province came days after five people were killed and two were injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on locals at the site of a dam in Panjgur.

Balochistan remains vulnerable to terror activities alongside KP, especially in recent months with both provinces accounting for 97% of the total 722 fatalities in the first three quarters of the ongoing year, as per a report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

Condemnations pour in

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the blast expressing grief over the loss of lives. He extended condolences to the relatives of the martyred policeman and schoolchildren.

"Terrorists have now targeted innocent children along with labourers,” said Bugti, resolving to avenge the blood of innocent citizens including children.

He added that locals among the civilian population also have to keep an eye on the terrorists. "The monster of terrorism can only be fought together."

Acting President and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani also condemned the incident and expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives.

"Terrorist elements are an enemy to humanity. The nation stands strong beside the security forces and law enforcement agencies against terrorism," he said.

In his condemnation statement, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.

"The perpetrators who target innocent citizens and children are enemies of humanity and peace," said the speaker.

He condemned the targeting of innocent children and civilians by terrorists for their nefarious purposes.

Sadiq praised the enduring sacrifices made by security forces and police officers in the fight against terrorism, emphasising that such shameful acts by malicious elements cannot shake the nation’s resolve in the war against terror.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the explosion and said: “No words are enough to condemn the incident of targeting innocent children.”

He described the attack as an "act of brutality", adding that "targeting children is a heinous crime that no one should tolerate".

Naqvi asserted that those responsible for such horrific acts should face no leniency. "The beasts who play with the lives of innocent children do not deserve any compassion," he stated.