LOC19:53
16:53 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Sept 3 (KUNA) -- The death toll in a rally suicide blast has
further increased to seventy-three and more than one hundred and seventy
wounded have been admitted to different hospitals of the city, said police
Friday.
A suicide bomber, riding a motorbike, blew himself at a rally, being held
to observe Youm-i-Al-Quds, on Mizan Chowk in Quetta, capital of Pakistans
largest but poorest of the four provinces.
The explosion triggered stampede and unknown armed gunmen opened fire.
Police tried to calm them down but they enter into fierce trade of fire with
police as well. The exchange of fire continued till later in the evening.
Angry protestors set on fire several shops, vehicles and at least three
buildings on the busy Mizan Chowk.
The situation was brought under control only with the deployment of
Rangers. Police sources told KUNA that the death toll has reached at 73,
adding, more than 170 wounded are admitted in different hospital. They feared
further rise in the death toll saying several of the wounded were in critical
condition.
Some segments of local news media said that the death toll has crossed 83
and that more than two hundred people sustained injuries in the blast.
Meanwhile, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for
the blast, a local Dawn news channel reported. (pick up previous). (end)
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KUNA 031953 Sep 10NNNN