2014 Mastung bus bombing

2014 Mastung bus bombing
Part of War in North-West Pakistan
Location of Balochistan in Pakistan
LocationMastung District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Date21 January 2014
TargetBus
WeaponsBomb
Deaths29
Injured32
Mastung on map of Pakistan
Mastung on map of Pakistan
2014 Mastung bus bombing (Pakistan)

The Mastung bus bombing was a bomb attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from Iran on 21 January 2014, while it was passing through Mastung District on Quetta-Taftan Highway, Pakistan. At least 22 people died and another 32 were wounded in the attack.[1]

Incident

The bus came under attack at 6:15 pm[2] when it crossed Pakistan-Iran border in Taftan on Quetta-Taftan Highway. During the bombing it was originally confirmed that 22 pilgrims[3][4] were killed and 32 were injured, eight of which were women.[3] Later on it turned that two injured pilgrims have died due to the severity of their injuries bring the number of dead to 24.[5] According to Asadur Rehman Gilani, a homeland security secretary, an estimate of 80 to 100 kilograms of explosives were used to destroy the bus and three other vehicles. The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain as well as such parties as the Majils Wahadat-e-Muslimeen and Hazara Democratic Party. Abdul Malik Baloch have reported the attack in which Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility.[4]

Aftermath

On the same day, it was reported that amount of dead have climbed to 29 while the bodies were laid to rest next day[6] at Bahisht-e-Zainab and Bahisht-e-Zahra graveyards which are located at Hazara Town and Quetta.[7] On 23 January, the relatives of the victims held a sit in which continued till Thursday night.[8] As of 24 January 2014, the Pakistani forces have detained 25 individuals[9] and have restricted further travel to the region.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Bomb targets bus of Shia pilgrims in south-west Pakistan". BBC News. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Bus bomb attack kills 22 pilgrims in Mastung". Pakistan Observer. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b Syed Ali Shah. "Blast on bus kills 22 Shia pilgrims in Mastung". DAWN. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b "At least 22 people were killed and scores others injured when a pilgrims' bus came under a bomb attack in Mastung on Tuesday evening, district administration said". Russian Radio. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Pilgrims bus bombed in Mastung; 24 dead". The Nation. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Mastung attack: Cries and carnage". DAWN. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Mastung attack victims buried under strict security". Dawn. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  8. ^ Syed Ali Shah (23 January 2014). "Mastung bloodbath: Protesters agree to end sit-ins across Pakistan". DAWN. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Security forces launch operation in Mastung; 25 detained". DAWN. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Pakistan's Shia pilgrimage route to Iran suspended". DAWN. Reuters and APP. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.