Quetta : At least 60 were killed and 114 were left injured in a dastardly terror attack in Pakistan’s Quetta. The terrorists targeted the Police Training Centre in Quetta, where nearly 700 cadets were lodged. The attack was initiated at around 11:20 PM on monday night. The counter-terror operation lasted for nearly 4 hours. All the militants have been neutralised. The exact number of terrorists was not specified. Section of Pakistani media claimed 4 terrorists were involved in the attack. News agency PTI claims that 3 militants carried out the militant strike. Combing operation is currently underway. While early investigation claims that terrorists belonged to wither Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Alami or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a major section of Pakistani media alleged Indian involvement in the terror attack.
Renowned Pakistani scribe Wajahat Khan blamed Indian spy agency RA&W of backing the Baloch terrorists who are targeting the Pakistani security forces. Although, the media had initially blamed Balochistan separatist group NDS, allegedly backed by RA&W for the terror attack, later reports claimed that terrorists were affiliated to either the TTP or Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. However, experts and news anchors on Pakistani news channel Duniya News claim that India could had backed the terrorists of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, as it had vowed to retaliate the Uri attack at all costs. Defence experts have demanded Pakistan government to diplomatically expose India. They have also cited the apprehension of alleged RA&W agent Kulbhushan to prove that India is fuelling tensions in Balochistan.
According to reports, the 700 cadets lodged in the Police Training Centre were about to leave for vacation a day before yesterday. However, a senior official extended their stay. The cadets were unarmed as thee ammunition was returned by them a day before when their training was completed. A thorough investigation is expected to be launched. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has vowed to review the lapses in security system which led to the terror attack. In the statement issued by him last night, Sharif said that Pakistan’s effort to fight against terrorism will not be deterred through such assaults. “We will fight and defeat terrorism,” he added.
“They are believed to be militants of the Lashkar-e- Jhangvi Alami outfit,” IG Frontier Corps, Major General Sher Afghan was quoted as saying. He further added that terrorists were being coordinated by their handlers in Afghanistan. The terrorists were heavily armed with guns and explosives. After indulging in heavy gunfire, two of the three terrorists exploded their suicide vests. The third terrorists was gunned down before he could blow himself up. The slain terrorist was found to be of Uzbek region, aged between 20-22. (Agencies)
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