Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed on Thursday the commitment that to not allow the scourge of terrorism to rise again in the country as the nation made great sacrifices in defeating it.
The premier’s remarks came a day after at least five people, including two private security guards, were killed and 12 others injured in a powerful blast that took place in the parking lot of Serena Hotel, Quetta late Wednesday night.
In a tweet, PM Imran said that he was deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the condemnable and cowardly terrorist attack in Quetta.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the condemnable & cowardly terrorist attack in Quetta yesterday. Our nation has made great sacrifices in defeating terrorism & we will not to allow this scourge to rise again. We remain alert to all internal & external threats
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) APRIL 22, 2021
According to reports, the prime minister himself monitored the situation late last night and directed the Ministry of Interior to investigate the incident from all its aspects and probe the matter thoroughly.
Earlier it was reported that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the Serena hotel blast. A spokesman for the TTP said, “Our suicide bomber used his explosive-filled car in the hotel.”
However, police said the initial investigation revealed that the explosive device was planted in a car that was parked in the hotel’s parking area.
After the blast, many vehicles caught fire which burnt down seven cars and other vehicles. The windowpanes of nearby Balochistan Assembly, High Court and other buildings smashed due to the impact of the powerful blast.
Injured include two assistant commissioners of the Balochistan government, who were present in the hotel when the blast occurred, were immediately shifted to the Civil Hospital Quetta along with other wounded people. Hotel officials said that some employees of the hotel were missing.
Officials said that the Chinese ambassador and other Chinese officials were staying at the hotel but were not present in the hotel when the blast took place in the parking lot.
“All guests staying in the hotel were deemed safe in the blast,” officials said.
