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At Least 11 Dead In Pakistan Car Bomb Attack

At Least 11 Dead In Pakistan Car Bomb Attack

The attack came just ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Eleven people have been killed and 20 injured when a suicide car bomb was detonated in southwestern Pakistan.

The explosion happened in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, and was close to the office of the provincial police chief. It was so forceful that it was heard across the length and breadth of the city.

It was so powerful that it even shattered windows of nearby buildings, said police spokesman Shahzada Farhat.

The attack came just ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, following the holy month of Ramadan which will end this weekend.

Quetta car bomb kills 11 people
Quetta car bomb kills 11 people

Credit: PA Images

The death toll from the bombing had risen to 11 throughout the morning, said Wasim Beg, a spokesman for a government hospital. He added that many of the injured were in a critical condition.

Footage from the scene where the bomb was detonated shows several badly damaged cars and streets littered with debris and broken glass.

Pakistani Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, issued a statement condemning the attack.

"These cowardly attacks are a sign of growing frustration of terrorists and extremists who have even targeted innocent civilians during the Holy month of Ramadan," Nawaz Sharif said.

"Such elements deserve no mercy and will meet their fate soon in view of the unflinching and united resolve of the entire nation against terrorism and extremism."

Quetta car bomb kills 11 people
Quetta car bomb kills 11 people

Credit: PA Images

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack just hours after it was carried out.

A spokesman for the militant faction said that the bombing was part of a campaign to enforce Islamic laws in the country and that Pakistan should expect more of the same.

Anwarul Haq Kakar, a spokesman for the provincial government, was quick to blame neighbouring India for the blast. However, he gave no evidence to back up his claim.

At the beginning of the year, Pakistan's military announced major plans for a large-scale crackdown on militancy in the country, following a wave of terror attacks.

Radd-ul-Fasaad - which translates roughly to 'elimination of discord' - is aimed at eliminating the "residual/latent threat of terrorism".

"The effort entails conduct of Broad Spectrum Security / Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations by Rangers in Punjab, continuation of ongoing operations across the country, and focus on more effective border security management," said the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army's media wing.

"Countrywide de-weaponisation and explosive control are additional cardinals of the effort. Pursuance of National Action Plan will be the hallmark of this operation," it added.

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was born from the aftermath of a string of terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

On February 16, the shrine of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan was struck by a suicide bomber affiliated with the so-called Islamic State.

This was the worst in a wave of terrorist attacks, leaving 88 dead and more than 300 seriously injured after a suicide bomber struck.

Sources: ABC News

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: terrorism, Pakistan