Quetta: A massive bomb explosion on Double Road in Quetta on Thursday killed three individuals, including a well-known oncologist, and injured 21 others. A police mobile that was patrolling the area was the target of the attack, officials confirmed.

Police say explosives were mounted on a motorcycle and remotely detonated as the police car arrived at the scene. Four police officers were hurt and several nearby shops were severely damaged. A blaze erupted in the police car but was quickly put out by firemen.

Dr. Meharullah Tareen, a prominent oncologist practicing at a local cancer hospital, was also among the victims. He was having his car repaired at a local workshop when the blast happened. Abdul Jabbar was identified as one of the victims, while the third one is still unknown.

The victims were taken to Civil Hospital Quetta, where Trauma Centre spokesperson Dr. Wasim Baig confirmed four of them were in critical condition. Those injured are Ahmed Khan, Sur Gul Khan, Jameel Ahmed, Muhammad Hussain, Shafiq Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq, Hayatullah, Attaullah, Habibullah, Muhammad Bilal, Khalil Ahmed, Noor Ahmed, Faraz Ahmed, and Muhammad Yasin.

The authorities cordoned off the area as the bomb disposal squad gathered evidence. Nobody has taken responsibility for the attack, and an inquiry is being conducted.

Wave of Violence in Balochistan

Quetta bombing is a follow-up of a chain of fatal assaults throughout Balochistan within a period of 24 hours. In Turbat, five individuals including a couple and three minors were gunned down by grenades fired at their residence. In Gwadar, six individuals from Punjab were taken off a bus traveling towards Karachi and assassinated on the Coastal Highway.

At the same time, three security officials, including a Counter Terrorism Department official, were killed by unidentified attackers in Mastung. Two Punjab-based drivers were also abducted there. Security personnel foiled an attempt to explode two bridges on the Quetta-Karachi Highway, where they defused explosives laid underneath. Unidentified assailants also hurled a grenade at a police station in Hub, resulting in no casualties, and a grid station officer was wounded in a gun attack in Panjgur.

Condemnations and Response of Government

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Quetta bombing firmly, deeply grieving the deaths. The prime minister directed the launch of a high-level probe at once and committed to keeping up the war on terrorism.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also condemned the Gwadar killings, calling the killing of innocent civilians a “brutal and unforgivable crime.” He promised that the culprits would be brought to justice.

Security is being enhanced across Balochistan to stop further attacks, as fears arise about the worsening law and order situation in the province.