Roadside Blast in Balochistan Kills Petroleum Company Employee and Injures 14 Others

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Harnai blast news
2. Harnai explosion update

A roadside blast in Balochistan’s Harnai district killed a petroleum company employee and injured 14 others. The improvised explosive device (IED) targeted employees of Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) as they were conducting a survey. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the violence and ordered a thorough investigation. The victims were airlifted to Combined Military Hospital in Quetta for treatment. The attack was described as an act of cowardice and terrorism. The authorities are determined to combat those who threaten peace in the region. Published in Dawn on March 31st, 2024.

Tragic Explosion Claims Life of Petroleum Company Employee in Harnai, Balochistan

In a devastating incident that shook the region of Harnai in Balochistan, a roadside blast took the life of a dedicated employee of the Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) and left 14 others wounded. The incident took place in the Wareekha area, situated at the border of Harnai and Duki.

Details of the Incident

According to Harnai Deputy Commissioner Javed Domki, the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the roadside. The victims, who were employees of MPCL hailing from Harnai, Duki, and Zhob, were on their way to conduct a survey when their vehicle was targeted in the attack near the border area.

The deceased, identified as Mohammad Tariq, was airlifted along with the injured to the Combined Military Hospital in Quetta for treatment. The police confirmed that the primary target of the attack was the vehicles of MPCL, highlighting the dangerous nature of the incident.

Claim of Responsibility

Later that evening, the banned Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the tragic attack, escalating concerns about security in the region. The counterterrorism department of the police swiftly registered a case against the militants and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Government Response

Expressing his condemnation of the bomb blast in Harnai, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti labelled it as a cowardly act of violence that must be addressed with urgency. He directed the home department to provide a detailed report on the incident and ensure that the injured receive the best medical care available.

Describing the attack as an act of terrorism, Bugti emphasised the unity of the people of Balochistan and the security forces in combating the threats to peace and stability in the region. He reiterated his confidence that peace would prevail in the face of such heinous acts.

As the investigation into the incident continues, the community in Harnai mourns the loss of a valued member and prays for the swift recovery of those injured in the blast.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2024