At least 4 killed, 12 injured in Barkhan blast

QUETTA (APP): At least four people were killed and 12 sustained injuries in an explosion that ripped through the Rakhni market in Barkhan district of Balochistan, police said on Sunday.
Deputy Commissioner Barkhan Abdullah Khoso, while confirming the incident, said the explosion occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED), fitted on a motorcycle parked at the market, exploded with a big bang.
Soon after the incident, local administration reached at the site and cordoned off the area.
According to the police, the bomb blast took place in front of a hotel in Rakhni Bazar when there was a crowd gathered for shopping. The area shook with the intensity of the explosion, while the sound of the explosion echoed throughout the city.
The injured ones and the bodies of martyrs were shifted to the hospital. Nearby shops, motorcycles and carriages have also been damaged by the blast. “As a result of the explosion, three people died on the spot while the fourth died later,” the local administration said.
More than 12 people, including two girls, are injured in the incident. Five of the injured are in critical condition and have been sent to Dera Ghazi Khan for further treatment.
“According to preliminary investigation, the bomb was installed in a motorcycle, which was apparently detonated by remote control,” DC said, adding that “evidence is being collected from the crime scene and further probe is underway”.
President, PM condemn Barkhan blast: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned the blast in Barkhan, Balochistan province which resulted in the loss of precious lives.
The president and the prime minister expressed their deep grief over the loss of lives and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
They also prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls and for the early recovery of the injured, President Secretariat and PM Office media wings said in their separate press releases.
The prime minister summoned a report from the chief minister and inspector general of police over the incident. The president also stressed on expediting efforts to completely eliminate terrorists. The prime minister said that terrorists could not escape the punishment and those shedding innocent blood would be made an example.
The prime minister also directed for the provision of the best medical treatment to the injured. The local media quoting the police officials said that the explosion apparently took place when an improvised explosive device (IED), planted on a motorcycle, exploded in Rakhni Bazaar. However, they were carrying out further investigation.
NA speaker, deputy speaker condemn blasts in Barkan, Khuzdar: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani on Sunday strongly condemned the bomb blasts in district Barkan and district Khuzdar in Balochistan.
They said that such cowardly attacks would not diminish the nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the soil of the country. They also said that such elements would never be allowed to deviate Pakistan from the path of progress and development. They said that sacrifices rendered by personnel of security forces and by common people would remain alive and would steer the country out of this menace.
In their separate messages, NA Speaker and Deputy Speaker prayed that those who lost their lives may have eternal peace and solace in the hereafter. They also prayed for the grant of peace and patience to bereaved families and early recovery of injured individuals.
Zardari condemns terrorist attack in Barkhan: President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the terror attack in Rakhni Bazar, Barkhan in Balochistan killing and injuring innocent citizens.
In a statement issued by the PPP Media Office here Sunday, he said that the elements involved in such attacks cannot and should not be forgiven. “The federal and provincial governments should bring these culprits to book,” he added. Asif Zardari prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery for the injured. He also expressed his profound condolences to the families of the innocent victims of the attack.