In the bloodiest terrorist attack in Pakistan since the March 27 bombing in Karachi, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded hospital, killing at least 74 people and injuring over 100. The blast ripped through the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital when nearly 100 lawyers had gotten together to collect the body of a prominent lawyer shot dead hours before in the city.
The hospital was a ghastly scene with body parts scattered around and bloodied people. A bomb disposal squad said the suicide bomber carried around 10 kg of explosives in his vest. Pakistan Taliban faction Jamaat ur Arhar claimed responsibility for the attack that included 25 lawyers and two TV cameramen. The almost deafening explosion could be heard on video, killing dozens on the spot. As the clearing is still underway, doctors warn that the toll could rise.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif flew to Quetta and Army Chief Raheel Sharif visited the injured in the Civil hospital. He ordered intelligence agencies to initiate "special combing operations to target those involved in terror attacks", said a spokesperson. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri was quick to blame Indian intelligence agency RAW for the incidents, even before the police could point its finger at those responsible. This is not the first time a Pak leader has pointed at India for something initiated by their own homegrown terrorist groups.
The bombs took off when lawyers were at the hospital to take the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association, who was killed before the incident. Survivors were both shocked, yet on their feet to fetch stretchers for those in need. A journalist even broke down on seeing the bloodbath. An emergency was declared in all Quetta hospitals and many of the wounded were rushed to the Combined Military Hospital. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said, "This was a security lapse and I am having this personally investigated. PM Sharif expressed his "deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives".
Balochistan fosters low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists, along with Al Qaeda-linked and sectarian militants who operate in the region. The region has been facing violence and targeted killings for more than a decade. Condemning the attack, UK Foreign Office Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Alok Sharma had released a statement saying, "I am shocked and saddened by today's attack in Quetta, Pakistan. The loss of life is abhorrent and I condemn utterly this senseless act of violence at a hospital emergency department. My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have died or been injured as a result of this appalling act. The UK stands with the government and the people of Pakistan, as we confront the shared threat of terrorism."
Major attacks in Pak in 2016:
March 27: Easter Sunday bombing in Lahore park, Dead: 65
March 16: Bombing in Peshawar, Dead: 15
March 7: Suicide bomber attacks court entrance in northwest Pak
Jan 20: Militants storm Charsadda school, Dead: 20 known
