Sirajul Haq, chief of the Islamic political party Jamaat-e-Islami, narrowly escaped a “suicide attack” that targeted his convoy in restive Balochistan province, Pakistan police said on Friday. At least six people were injured in the attack. Zhob city police station house officer (SHO) Sher Ali Mandokhel told Dawn.com that Jamaat-e-Islami chief Haq’s vehicle was partially damaged in the attack, while he escaped unhurt.
All the injured are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital in Zhob and the condition of one of them is critical, he said.
He said a body found at the blast site was that of a suicide bomber. In a tweet, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also said that Haq – who was visiting the area to address a political gathering – was safe and the attacker was killed.
“JI Amir Siraj reached Quetta today and had to proceed to Zhob where he had a political meeting today. While he was entering the Zhob and people were welcoming him, a man came and blew himself up.
“All were safe in the suicide attack and there was no loss of life or property. As per initial information, only a few cars have been damaged and some people have been injured.” “The JI leadership is safe,” he added.
According to SHO Mandokhel, Haq insisted on going to his political meeting place after the blast. “Additional police and law enforcement personnel were deployed after they were cleared.”
The official said Zhob Assistant Commissioner Hafiz Tariq was assigned the security of the JI.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack, saying he has directed the Balochistan government to investigate the attack from all angles and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has expressed grief over the suicide blast.
“It is very sad that five people were injured in this incident,” he said.
The terrorists wanted to achieve their nefarious designs by spreading fear and insecurity in the province, he said, adding that the terrorists and their patrons would not be allowed to succeed.
Resource-rich Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan borders Afghanistan and Iran, but it is also Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, riddled with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies.
Baloch nationalists are active in Balochistan province and often target security forces and people from other provinces, especially Punjab.