3 Killed, 23 Injured After Suicide Bombers Attack Police Van In Pakistan's Quetta

The attack comes just two days after a high-valued TTP commander was killed along with ten other militants in a fierce gun battle during an encounter.

Three policemen were killed in a suicide bombing in Pakistan's Quetta

Three police personnel were killed while 23 were injured after a suicide bombing attack took place in western Pakistan’s Quetta region, reported news agency AFP. Banned terror outfit Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks and said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of Abdul Wali also known as Omar Khalid Khurrassni killed in Afghanistan in August.

The attacker targeted the paramilitary Constabulary truck in Quetta’s Baleli area, which was going to provide security to polio workers at the ongoing drive.

“Looking at the crime scene and given that the truck toppled, it is estimated that 25 kilograms of explosives were used,” said Quetta Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, adding that a total of three vehicles were hit in the blast.

Preliminary police investigations showed that a rickshaw hit the police truck. Authorities have declared an emergency in the hospitals of Quetta to treat the victims.

The attacks were condemned by the leaders of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to initiate an investigation into the attack.

According to the state-run Radio Pakistan, the premier expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of life.

He also said that polio workers across the country were fulfilling their responsibilities without caring for their lives.

“Eliminating polio virus from the country is amongst the top priorities of the government and we will not rest until polio is completely eradicated,” he said

President Dr Arif Alvi also condemned the attack and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.

The attack comes just two days after a high-valued TTP commander was killed along with ten other militants in a fierce gun battle during an encounter, reported news agency PTI citing security sources. 

TTP commander Tipu and ten others were killed in the shootout between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and security forces in the restive Lakki Marwat district bordering South Waziristan tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the report said.

The TTP fighters pouring in from the Afghan border were trapped by the security forces which resulted in the shootout.

The militants were reportedly fully armed with US Night Vision Devices (NVD) equipment and heavy arms.

According to independent reports, the TTP, which demands the rule of Sharia across Pakistan, has announced the end of the ceasefire agreement with the Pakistan government.

(With inputs from PTI)