A “suicide blast” targeted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq’s convoy as he was traveling for a rally in Balochistan’s Zhob. The attack left seven people injured.
According to the details, JI party chief Sirajul Haq had reached Quetta earlier today to address a rally in Zhob. A large number of people had gathered to welcome Haq as he entered Zhob.
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Pertinent to mention that the attacker was also a part of the crowd. Video footage of the incident shows smoke rising close to the vehicle in which JI chief Sirajul Haq was purportedly traveling. As the smoke cleared, a dead body, allegedly that of the attacker could be seen.
Seven workers were injured, of which four were critical. JI spokesperson Qaiser Sharif said a few vehicles had also been damaged in the attack.
جب امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر خودکش حملہ کیا گیا
سراج الحق قافلے کی صورت میں ژوب میں جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے جا رہے تھے
خودکش حملہ آور نے اس دوران سراج الحق کی گاری کے قریب خود کو دھماکہ سے اڑایا
سراج الحق اس حملے میں محفوظ رہے
جماعت اسلامی کے 7 کارکنان زخمی ہیں، 4… pic.twitter.com/6yMu3XxURw— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023
In a tweet, the party said that Sirajul Haq was safe and that the attacker had been killed. “Sirajul Haq was present in the area to address a gathering,” the party said.
امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر ژوب بلوچستان میں خود کش حملہ، حملہ آور مارا گیا۔
الحمدللہ سراج الحق محفوظ ہیں۔ جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے ژوب میں موجود تھے— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023
Upon getting information, a contingent of security forces also reached the area and cordoned it off to collect evidence. Moreover, Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, condemnations are pouring over the incident. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the attack and expressed grief over the injuries.
“Terrorists want to achieve their evil goals by spreading unrest. We will not allow terrorist elements and their handlers to succeed in their impure objectives,” he asserted.
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The latest attack on a political personality comes as the nation witnesses a rise in terrorism, with security forces ramping up operations to defeat militants.
Balochistan, a province located in southwestern Pakistan, has also been plagued by incidents of terrorism for many years. The region has experienced a complex security situation characterized by various militant groups, insurgencies, and sectarian violence.