2018 Quetta suicide bombing
On 25 July 2018, during polling for the 2018 Pakistani general election, a bomb blast outside a polling station in Quetta's Eastern Bypass area resulted in 31 people being killed and over 35 injured.[1][2][3] Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the group’s Amaq News Agency.
| 2018 Quetta suicide bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of War in North-West Pakistan | |
  Quetta Quetta (Balochistan, Pakistan)  Quetta Quetta (Pakistan) | |
| Location | Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| Date | 25 July 2018 (PST) |
Attack type | Suicide bombing |
| Deaths | 31 |
| Injured | 40 |
| Perpetrators | Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
| Participant | 1 suicide bomber |
| Motive | Derailment of 2018 Pakistani general election |
Attack
"The bomber was trying to enter the polling station. When police tried to stop him, he blew himself," a local administration official in Quetta, Hashim Ghilzai, has said.[4] According to Bomb Disposal Squad, 18-20 kilograms of explosives were used in the suicide attack.[5]
Responsibility
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the group’s Amaq news agency. The group said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, but did not provide further detail or evidence for its claim.[6]
Aftermath
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while condemning the attack had summoned report from Balochistan government. ECP also suspended the internet and cellphone services in several districts in Balochistan. Polling resumed in the PB-31 polling station after being suspended briefly, however, the number of voters remained low.[2]
Reactions
- Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan condemned the attack and called it a “terrorist attack” by Pakistan’s enemies “seeking to disrupt our democratic process”. He tweeted, "Condemnable terrorist attack in Quetta by enemies of Pak seeking to disrupt our democratic process. Saddened by the loss of innocent lives. Pakistanis must defeat the terrorists' design by coming out in strength to cast their vote."[7]
- President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack” and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He tweeted, "Heart broken to learn of martyrdom of innocent people including police officials & injuries sustained by others in a terrorist attack in Quetta at a time when the people are exercising their democratic right of vote. My profound condolences to the bereaved families."[8]
References
- "31 killed in suicide blast outside Quetta polling station". Dawn. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- "Six policemen among 29 martyred in suicide attack outside Quetta polling station". Geo News. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "Quetta: Death toll jumps to 31 in election day blast". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "31 martyred in Quetta as bomber targets polling station". The News International. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "31 killed as suicide bomber targets police convoy in Quetta". Express Tribune. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- "Dozens Killed in Suicide Blast on Pakistan Polling Station". Al-Manar TV Lebanon. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "Condemnable terrorist attack in Quetta by enemies of Pak seeking to disrupt our democratic process. Saddened by the loss of innocent lives. Pakistanis must defeat the terrorists' design by coming out in strength to cast their vote". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "Heart broken to learn of martyrdom of innocent people including police officials & injuries sustained by others in a terrorist attack in Quetta at a time when the people are exercising their democratic right of vote. My profound condolences to the bereaved families". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-07-25.