The wretched Hazara Shias, are once again bathed in blood on Saturday (February 16, 2013) evening, 5:30 pm when a powerful bomb sealed in a water tanker ripped through a populated bazaar in Hazara town, an area dominated by Hazara Shias on the outskirts of Quetta city.
According to reliable sources tanker was packed with some 800-1000 kilograms of explosives, was brought in a crowded road, parked at the center of shopping and educational centers, a moment later a heavy explosion rocked the area and the city.
The market completely collapsed with large number of people buried beneath. According to officials at the site the attack inflicted heavy financial and human loss as the death toll has climbed to 90 and injured over 250. The victims mostly included women, school going children, vegetable vendors and shopkeepers.
Hazara community in Baluchistan is systematically targeted. Formerly in an identical suicide attack over 100 innocent Hazara Shias were laid to rest. Hardly a month has passed from the incident when another attack occurred on the same ill-fated community. The relentless attacks reveal that the provincial and federal governments of Pakistan are unwilling to maintain the situation of law and order in Quetta city or the terrorists are given free rein to operate on their will. The sectarian killing of Hazaras in Baluchistan dates back to 1999, till date 1200 Hazaras are bombed and butchered and scores are impaired.
Saturday’s incident was another heart wrecking atrocious act against minority community - Hazaras, inhabiting in Baluchistan since ages. The banned extremist’s organization, Lashkari Jangvi claimed the responsibility for the attack and waged to continue bloodshed.
The President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and several leaders condemned the incident. Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, while talking to media, criticized security forces and termed it intelligence and security failure according to sources.
The law enforcement agencies seem either ineligible to cope with a handful of terrorists or the presence of black sheep has hardened the option to operate against the extremist organizations that are reportedly strengthening their footprint in the restive Baluchistan. Subsequent to the imposition of Governor Rule, the number of paramilitary forces and check posts were doubled in the city. How an explosive laden vehicle or tanker passing several security checks could successfully reach a residential area, is a question yet to be answered?
Hazara Democratic while addressing a press conference gave an ultimatum to carry out a targeted operation against the responsible people within 48 hours, or their party will protest in front of Balochistan High Court on a daily basis. It is also said that they would stage protest in front of Pakistan embassies, offices of United Nations and human rights organizations across Asia and Europe.