Zhob: A “suicide blast” hit Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq’s convoy while he was on his way to a rally in Balochistan’s Zhob, injuring seven people, police officials and party leaders said on Friday. Confirmed.
“Siraj-ul-Haq was safe during the blast,” said party general secretary Ameerul-Azeem.
JI said on its official Twitter account that it was a suicide attack, adding that the attacker had been killed.
امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر ژوب بلوچستان میں خود کش حملہ، حملہ آور مارا گیا۔
— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023
الحمدللہ سراج الحق محفوظ ہیں۔ جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے ژوب میں موجود تھے
In a separate tweet, the party said that seven workers were injured, four of whom are in critical condition.
JI further said that Haq will address the meeting as per the schedule.
امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق پر خودکش حملہ
— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023
آج ژوب میں جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے موجود تھے
امیر جماعت کو قافلے کی صورت میں لے جایا جا رہا تھا، خودکش حملہ آور نے اس دوران دھماکہ کیا
سراج الحق اس حملے میں محفوظ رہے
جماعت اسلامی کے 7 کارکنان زخمی ہیں، 4 کی حالت نازک ہے
امیر جماعت…
The footage showed smoke billowing near the vehicle in which the JI chief was allegedly traveling. As the smoke cleared, a body, allegedly that of the assailant, was seen.
Journalist Saleem Safi said he spoke to the JI chief, who told him that everyone in the vehicle with him was safe. However, seven workers accompanying the leaders were injured.
Meanwhile, Qaiser Sharif, the spokesperson of JI, said that a few vehicles have also been damaged.
He said that the party chief had arrived in Quetta earlier today, adding that a large number of people had gathered to welcome him as soon as he entered Zhob. “The suicide bomber was also part of the mob.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudous Bizenjo condemned the attack and expressed grief over the injured.
“Terrorists want to achieve their nefarious objectives by creating unrest. We will not allow terrorist elements and their handlers to succeed in their nefarious objectives,” he asserted.
The latest attack on a political figure comes at a time when the nation is witnessing a rise in terrorism, with security forces stepping up operations to defeat militants.
