Over 50 killed in suicide attack in Quetta

In the second such attack on Shia Muslims, a suicide strike on a procession organised by Shia students and subsequent firing by protesters at Quetta in southwest Pakistan, today killed over 50 people and injured more than 100 others.

The attack on the procession came hours after two terrorist attacks left as many persons dead in the country’s restive northwest. The bomber detonated his explosive vest when the rally reached Meezan Chowk, a busy square in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, shortly before 3 pm.

Dramatic footage aired on Geo News captured the blast, which occurred as the marchers were shouting slogans. Over 50 people were killed, police and civil officials were quoted as saying by the television channels. Officials at hospitals said they had received about 100 injured people.

The driver of a television channel was killed, while seven reporters and cameramen of various channels were among the injured. Armed youths, who were a part of the procession, started firing after the blast. Many persons sustained bullet injuries, officials said.