Terrorist attacks in Parachinar, Quetta, Karachi claim 47 lives, over 100 hurt

• 30 killed in two suicide blasts in Parachinar city of Kurram Agency;
• 13 persons including 6 policemen lose their lives in Quetta explosion
• 4 policemen martyred as their mobile van fired at in SITE, Karachi;
• President, Prime Minister, others express shock on terror incidents

ISLAMABAD: At least 30 people have been killed, and over 100 injured in what officials confirmed were two suicide attacks near Akbar Khan hotel in the heart of Parachinar city in Kurram Agency. At least 13 people including six policemen lost their lives while 14 others sustained wounds in a powerful explosion outside IG office in Quetta. In another terror incident four policemen lost their lives when their mobile van was fired at in SITE area in Karachi at the time of Iftari.

Political agent disclosed that the explosions targeted Youm-ul-Quds procession, participants of which were dispersing after the conclusion of the programme.

The first blast came during rush hour in Toori bazaar, where people were buying food for iftar. When people rushed to the site to rescue the wounded, a second blast took place.

Forces have cordoned the area while emergency has been declared in nearby hospitals.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, two army aviation helicopters from Peshawar reached Parachinar for speedy evacuation of the injured to the provincial capital. "Rescue operation is in progress," it said in a statement.

Security arrangements across the country.

The third major attack to rock Parachinar this year, the blasts struck hours before iftar, when the streets are often crowded with people shopping for food to break their fast with the evening Ramazan meal.

The district is known for sectarian clashes between Sunnis and Shias, who make up roughly 20 per cent of country's population.

Meanwhile, at least 13 people including six policemen lost their lives while 14 others sustained wounds in a powerful explosion outside Inspector General (IG) office in Quetta on Friday, confirmed Deputy Commissioner.

According to the details, the blast took place inside a car that was parked near the office. The injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and other hospitals for medical assistance.

Civil Hospital spokesman Dr. Wasim Ahmed confirmed at least 11 bodies and 16 injured were brought to the hospital. Civil Hospital sources said at least eight wounded are in critical condition. Meantime, four security men including an officer were shifted to CMH. The deceased include policeman, a woman and little girl.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema, while talking to media said, "The nature of the blast is yet to be determined. 

He said, "Security officials had tried to stop a car near Shuhada Chowk and the blast occurred. It's still unclear what the actual target was. We are still investigating and trying to determine nature and target of the blast." 

He said, "The explosion has damaged two vehicle and nearby buildings. The security has been further beefed up after the blast however, the CCTV footages will be scoured through to ascertain the facts involved in the terrorism."

Arriving at the scene, security personnel cordoned off the entire area and launched an operation to collect the evidence. Emergency was also declared in different hospitals. 

Balochistan government spokesman Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that the explosion took place at 9:00 am when the police officers were checking the suspected car.

Police spokesman Shahzada Farhat said the death toll was expected to rise as some of the wounded were listed in critical condition. He said officers were still trying to determine whether it was a car bomb. He said that the explosion was powerful enough that it was heard across the city.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the incident and stated that, "Terrorism will soon be completely eliminated from the homeland."

The President expressed his deep condolences to the affected families. He directed the provincial government and the departments concerned to ensure the safety of life and property of the people and utilize all resources for the medical treatment of the injured. 

He further emphasized that, "The state institutions will not stop till the elimination of last terrorist." He reiterated that, "The whole nation is united against terrorism and such cowardly incidents cannot shake the resolve and determination of our nation."

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and directed the authorities at federal and provincial levels to hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous act and bring them to justice.

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

He said, "Such elements deserved no mercy and would meet their fate soon in view of the unflinching and united resolve of the entire nation against terrorism and extremism."

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also condemned the bomb blast. In their separate statements, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker termed it an "inhuman and shameful act of terrorism." 

They said, "The elements involved in such activities are enemies of the country and humanity.   They were confident that the master minds of this heinous crime will not be spared and will be brought to justice."

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also condemned the Quetta blast and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri also denounced the explosion and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah condemning the blast offered all kind of support and cooperation to the Chief Minister of Balochistan to counter terrorism and provide medical treatment to the injured of the blast in Karachi.   

Talking to Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Zaher on telephone, the Sindh Chief Minister condemned Quetta blast and said, "The terrorists are enemies of Pakistan and they are making desperate attempts to destabilize the country but it is not possible because the nation is united against them."

 "At this time of need we [people of Sindh] are with the people of Balochistan," he said and added the Sindh government was ready to extend all kind of support to Balochistan government in making joint targeted operations, sharing of intelligence information and work out joint strategy to further accelerate the on-going operation along the Sindh-Balochistan borders. 

"I am with you [CM Balochistan] whatever support and cooperation you need to eliminate terrorism," he told Balochistan Chief Minister.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also offered Nawab Sanaullah Zehri of him his support to provide medical treatment to the critically injured persons of the blast. The Balochistan chief minister appreciated the brotherly gesture of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and thanked him for his support.   

No one has claimed responsibility, but Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and ISIS have previously targeted the province, which for over a decade has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency. 

In Karachi, four police personnel were martyred as unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at their vehicle in Karachi's SITE area on Friday.

Officials said the officer and four constables were targeted at the time of iftar, adding that militants affiliated with banned outfits could be behind the incident.

While the bodies were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, police and Rangers reached the incident site, and cordoned the area. More than a dozen empty shells of pistols were recovered from the scene. The incident came hours after a suicide car bomber killed at least 13 people, including seven police officers, in Quetta.