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Taliban targets FC, Col. among 21 killed
QUETTA: Twin suicide bombings in Quetta claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the lives of 21 people while 40 others were injured, Geo News reported.The bombings targeted security forces responsible for the capture of key Al-Qaeda operatives this week.
According to DIG Police Operations Hamid Shakil, one attacker detonated his bomb-laden car outside the residence of the deputy chief of the Frontier Corps (FC) in Quetta city, before a second attacker blew himself up inside the house.
More than twenty-one people were killed including three FC personnel, wife of DIG FC Farrukh Shehzad, Colonel Khalid and two children. Forty others sustained injuries, hospital sources added.
The house was badly damaged while the DIG FC himself is injured.
Director Civil Defense said that more than 100 kg of explosives were used in the twin blasts. Rescue teams reached the spot to shift the deceased and injured to the civil hospital, Quetta.
During investigations, head of one suicide attacker was found from the blast site identified as Ahmed Gul son of Saeed Gul. Meanwhile security forces cordoned off the area and further investigations are underway.
The residence of the Deputy Inspector General is close to other government buildings and official residencies in the city including Governor and Chief Minister houses while the treasury office is also located in the same area.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed the responsibility for the bombings, saying it was to avenge the recent arrests of Al-Qaeda operatives.
"We carried out the attacks," Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said in a phone call from an undisclosed location. He said the two bombs, which also wounded 82 people, were "to avenge the arrest of our mujahedin brothers by Pakistani security forces in Quetta recently".
Asked whether he was referring to the arrests, announced Monday, of Younis al-Mauritani -- believed to be a senior Al-Qaeda leader who had planned attacks abroad -- and two others, he said "Yes."
Courtesy www.geo.tv