Islamabad, Aug 8: A suicide bomber targeted the funeral of a slain police officer in Quetta city of southwest Pakistan today, killing 18 people, including a Deputy Inspector General of Police.
The bomber struck as hundreds of people, including top police officers of Balochistan province, were attending the funeral of police station chief Mohib Ullah, who was gunned down this morning.
The attacker detonated his explosive vest at a mosque within the Police Lines in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
DIG (Operations) Fayyaz Sumbol, a Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were among the dead, police officials said.
All the dead were policemen, officials told the media.
The provincial police chief and city police chief had a narrow escape, witnesses said.
Several children and policemen were among 15 people injured, officials said.
The bomber carried out the strike despite extensive security arrangements within the Police Lines. Police cordoned off the area and launched a rescue and search operation.
Earlier in the day, police station chief Mohib Ullah was killed and his four children and a driver were injured when unidentified gunmen attacked his car at Alamu Chowk in Quetta.
Mohib Ullah was going to the market with his children when he was attacked.
No group claimed responsibility for both attacks. Several militant groups, including the Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, are active in Balochistan.
