Blast in Balochistan, 3 Policemen killed in Quetta
Dated 2/11/2006
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Another powerful bomb blast Thursday in Balochistan’s capital Quetta killed three people, including two police officers, and injured four civilians, police said.
“The blast took place on Shahra-e-Gulastan in front of the Inspector General’s office at about 3:50pm,” confirmed Balochistan Inspector General (IG) Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob while speaking to newsmen. Three people, including two police officers, were killed due to the blast. “A Suzuki pick-up, which had a time-bomb fixed to it, was on its way to an unknown location for supposedly terrorist activity when the bomb went off due to incorrect timing or technical pressure,” said the police IG.
The dead police personnel were identified as police driver Shabir Abbasi and traffic police officer Malik Yousaf.
The third deceased, whom the IG believed to be the driver of the Suzuki vehicle, was identified as Ghulam Abbas Hazara, son of Haji Mohammad Chaman. Sources told Daily Times the bomber belonged to the Hazara community and was a resident of Kocha Mola Raza of Quetta’s Alamdar Road. The vehicle, numbered PAB 917, that he drove, belonged to his brother Ghulam Haider. Later on, Ghulam Abbas was also identified by relatives at the local hospital. Balochistan IG Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, while condemning the blast, said it would be premature to name the perpetrators of the attack, but added that the involvement of Afghans or miscreants from the Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas was also possible.
Earlier in the day, Quetta police managed to defuse an 18 kilogram explosive device from an abandoned bike in front of a local hotel in the crowded premises of the Liaquat Bazaar. “The explosives could lead to very heavy casualties if they explode,” police said. Police registered a case against unknown miscreants. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the Thursday blast.