JUI-F Chief escapes suicide attack in Quetta

By
AFP
JUI-F Chief escapes suicide attack in Quetta
QUETTA: A suicide attacker targeted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rahman on Thursday in Quetta following his rally killing one and injuring 30 others.

Maulana Fazlur Rahman remained safe in the attack on his life. Initial reports had suggested two people lost their lives, however police has confirmed that one person was killed while the second body is that of the suicide bomber.




Speaking to Geo News, JUI-F chief Maualana Fazl-ur-Rehman said, “There was a powerful blast when I left the venue of the rally but I remained safe as I was in a bulletproof car.”

According to the police, the explosive device contained 6-8 kilograms of explosive material which was detonated by a suicide bomber. The intensity of the explosion completely destroyed the JUI-F leaders armoured vehicle as well as nearby shops.

The attack on Maulana Fazlur Rahman was the third incident of terrorism in the provincial capital on Thursday. Earlier in the day, 9 vegetable vendors were killed when unknown assailants sprayed their bus with bullets. In a separate incident two people were killed while another 12 were injured in an explosion on Qambrani road.

I am Safe: Fazl




Speaking to Geo News the JUI-F leader confirmed he was safe at the residence of a party office-bearer. Responding to a question regarding his security the JUI-F chief said the security arrangements were as per usual, but added that he has never received a warning about any possibility of an attack on his life nor has he been told regarding the groups involved in previous attacks on his life by the agencies.

He told Geo News that it is too early to ascertain exact details of the attack, adding that he can only confirm that he is safe.