JI emir escapes bomb blast in Zhob

Jammat Islami chief Sirajul Haq survived a bomb blast that targeted his convoy in the Zhob area of Balochistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Friday.

According to a JI spokesperson, JI Amir escaped unhurt while seven others got injured.

The seven injured have been shifted to the hospital among which four are in critical condition.

Jammat-e-Islami on its official Twitter page claimed that it was a suicide attack on the convoy of JI Amir. 

جب امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر خودکش حملہ کیا گیا
سراج الحق قافلے کی صورت میں ژوب میں جلسہ عام سے خطاب کے لیے جا رہے تھے
خودکش حملہ آور نے اس دوران سراج الحق کی گاری کے قریب خود کو دھماکہ سے اڑایا
سراج الحق اس حملے میں محفوظ رہے
جماعت اسلامی کے 7 کارکنان زخمی ہیں، 4… pic.twitter.com/6yMu3XxURw

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) May 19, 2023

Footage showed smoke rising close to the vehicle in which the JI chief was purportedly travelling. As the smoke cleared, a dead body, allegedly that of the attacker could be seen.

The party chief had reached Quetta earlier today, he said, adding that a large number of people had gathered to welcome Haq as he entered Zhob. "The suicide attacker was also part of the crowd."

The party said JI emir will address the gathering as per schedule despite the attack.

Condemnations 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and directed the Balochistan government to investigate the attack from all angles and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He also prayed for the complete and quick recovery of the injured.

ژوب میں امیر جماعت اسلامی سراج الحق کے قافلے پر خودکش حملے کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہوں۔ قیمتی جانوں کے ضیاع پردل رنجیدہ ہے۔ میں نے بلوچستان حکومت کو ہدایت کی ہے کہ وہ حملے کی تمام زاویوں سے تحقیقات کرے اور اس خوفناک حملے میں ملوث کرداروں کو انصاف کے کٹہرے میں لایا جائے۔ اللّہ پاک…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 19, 2023

Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack on JI chief. He also demanded immediate arrest of the planners of the Zhob suicide attack on JI emir’s caravan. He also extended his well wishes to Sirajul Haq and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the injuries.

"Terrorists want to achieve their evil goals by spreading unrest. We will not allow terrorist elements and their handlers to succeed in their impure objectives," he asserted.

Punjab chief minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the cowardly attack on JI emir Sirajul Haq.