Quetta mourns Mastung carnage

QUETTA: A shutter down strike is being observed in the provincial city on Wednesday, as the remains of 24 persons killed in a terrorist attack on pilgrims near Mastung were brought to an Imambargah here, Geo News reported.

As the city mourns the brutal killings of men, women and children on the call of Hazara Democratic Party, Shia Ulema Conference and other groups, a complete strike is being observed and the city is giving a deserted look. All major markets are closed in Quetta, roads are deserted due to scant vehicular traffic.

Enraged people staging sit-in at the Western Bypass have blocked the road. The protesters have vowed to continue the protest till acceptance of their demands.

Balochistan University has postponed its examinations scheduled today. The exams will now be held on January 26, the Controller of Examinations said in an announcement.

It was a second attack on Shia pilgrims near Quetta in less than a month. In an earlier attack on January 1, three people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in Quetta.