Balochistan shrine blast death toll rises to 15; 20 injured

Shubhanshu Sharma
Published on: 5 Oct 2017 11:35 PM GMT
Balochistan shrine blast death toll rises to 15; 20 injured
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Naseerabad (Pakistan): At least 15 people were killed and 20 injured in a suicide blast at a shrine in Balochistan's Jhal Magsi, police said.

Confirming the numbers in the suicide attack, Balochistan spokesman Anwarul Haq Kakar said killed people also included a policeman, Geo News reported.

"Urs was underway when the shrine was attacked," said the provincial government spokesman.

The blast took place at Fatehpur Dargah. According to police, the suicide attacker tried to enter the shrine and blew himself up when he was stopped by the police.

At least two policemen were also injured in the blast. The injured are being transferred to DHQ hospital for treatment.

The Balochistan Home Minister said he has received news of the blast and instructed authorities to respond immediately.

Security forces reached the spot and cordoned off the area after the blast.

The local administration declared an emergency at hospitals in Sibbi and Dera Murad Jamali.

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The shrine is located four kilometres away from the city and the nearest hospital in the area can only accommodate 12 people, so the rescue teams are shifting the injured people to hospital in neighbouring districts.

Police said there were around 800 to 1,000 people inside the shrine when the incident happened.

Locals said the death toll is feared to rise as it may take rescue teams two to three hours to reach the hospitals in neighbouring areas.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Earlier in November 2016, at least 52 people including women and children were killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide blast in Shah Noorani shrine near Hub in Balochistan's Lasbella district.

-IANS

Shubhanshu Sharma

Shubhanshu Sharma

Writer has 6 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Senior Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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