On the last of the Holy month of Ramzan on Friday, at least 62 people were killed and 100 others injured in multiple attacks in Pakistan’s three major cities on Friday. In the first attack, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car in Quetta. The incident killed 13, including seven officials, and injured 21 others.
Hours after twin blasts went off in Pakistan’s northwestern town of Parachinar bordering Afghanistan. While the first explosion took place at Turri Market in Parachinar headquarters of Kurram Agency, the second blast happened as rescuers and bystanders rushed to aid those who had been hurt in the first explosion.
At least 45 people, mostly Shias, were killed in the blasts and more than 75 injured. The blasts were claimed by both the local affiliate of the Islamic State terror outfit and a splinter group of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA).
An official Wazir Khan Wazir told Reuters that the blasts happened at a market within three minutes. The emergency and rescue services moved injured to Agency Headquarters Hospital Parachinar. The security forces cordoned off the area and started the search operation.
Apart from blasts, two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on security personnel in Karachi, killing four later on Friday evening.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attacks, saying that those guilty will be taken to task. He added that efforts will be taken to end terrorism.
“Two Army aviation helicopters have taken off from Peshawar to Parachinar for the speedy evacuation of the injured to Peshawar. Rescue operation in progress,” the Pakistan Army said.
The attack was condemned by President Mamnoon Hussain, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai and former President Asif Ali Zardari, among others.
