QUETTA: At least eight people were killed and over 57 others injured in a suicide attack on a church here on Zarghoon road on Sunday.
Baluchistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraq Bugti told said that a suicide bomber was gunned down near the entrance of the Methodist Church while the other blew himself up in the courtyard of the church after being shot and injured by police.
However, two attackers managed to escape from the scene, police said.
Six of the deceased had been identified as Mahak d/o Sohail Yusuf, Madiha d/o Barkat, Sona wife of Noaf Hameed, Fazal Masih, Aakash and George Masih.
Hospital sources said that nine of the injured were in critical condition.
Later, the provincial minister said in a tweet that the forces took only 16 minutes to complete the operation.
IG Muazzim Ansari said the police successfully neutralized the attackers at the entrance of the church where 400 worshipers were present.
Police and paramilitary forces surrounded the church after the explosion and heavy gunfire took place.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack and ordered the authorities to provide assistance to the victims.
Meanwhile, Southern Command Commander Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa and IG FC visited the Civil Hospital to inquire about the health of the victims of church attack.
