TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman vehemently condemned therecent terrorist attack in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta whichclaimed the lives of 16 people and injured 30 more.
Bahram Qasemi sympathized with Pakistani government, people and especiallythe bereaved families of the victims of the deadly attack.
He added that security and stability of neighbors especially Pakistan is ofmajor importance for Iran.
Qsemi expressed hope for Pak government and people to foil regionalenemies’ conspiracy by preserving unity and awareness.
Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Quetta police Abdul Razzaq Cheema saidthe blast, which ripped through the Hazarganji area of the city was causedby an improvised explosive device (IED) that had been hidden in the fruitmarket.
He said eight of those killed were members of the Hazara Shia community.
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No group or individual have yet claimed the responsibility of the attack.
This is while, illegal groups like Baloch rebels had claimed theresponsibility of explosions and attacks against security forces andcivilians.
The Hazara community has been disproportionately targeted by sectarianviolence as they are easily identifiable due to their distinctive physicalappearance.
A report released by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) lastyear stated that 509 members of Hazara community were killed and 627injured in various incidents of terrorism in Quetta from January 2012 toDec 2017.
