Friday, September 3, 2010

Blast rocks Yaum-ul-Quds rally in Quetta, 45 killed

QUETTA: At least 45 people were killed and over 100 were injured when a blast detonated at a rally held to express solidarity with the Palestinian people in Quetta on Friday.

According to the details, Yaum-ul-Quds rally, comprising of hundreds people was taken out at Meezan Chowk, Quetta, when an explosion went off right in the middle of the rally, killed at least 45 people while 50 others were injured.

SAMAA reporter Noor Ilahi Bugti and cameraman Aijaz Raisani were also injured in the blast.

The deceased and injured are being taken to Civil Hospital. Dr Shabeer, the RMO of the Civil Hospital, also confirmed SAMAA that 22 people were martyred and almost 50 others injured. He said that the hospital management was ready to face such emergency.

Several injured have also been taken to the Combined Military Hospital. The hospital management has requested to donate blood. Hospital sources informed SAMAA that 50 injured in are critical conditions.

The law enforcement agencies including the Frontier Constabulary cordoned off the area.

The nature of the bomb was not known yet.
 No adequate security arrangements were made on the routes,” said sources.Intense firing started soon after the suicide blast.

Rallies are held across Pakistan every year on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan to support Palestinian demands for a separate homeland