Explosion at the parking area of Serena hotel in Quetta city leaves four people dead and 11 others wounded, officials say. Terror group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claims responsibility.
A powerful bomb has exploded in the parking area of a luxury hotel in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least four people and wounding at least 11 others, police said.
Security forces rushed to the Serena hotel and no one was being allowed to go near the site of the blast on Wednesday.
Police said rescuers transported victims to nearby hospitals. Footage on Pakistan news channels showed burning cars.
Senior police official Azhar Akram said officers were trying to determine whether the bomb was planted in a vehicle that was parked in the hotel’s parking lot. He provided no further details, saying police were still investigating.
Wasim Beg, a spokesperson at the provincial health department, said four people died and 12 were wounded in the bombing.
Terror group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (or TTP) claimed the bombing.
“It was a suicide attack in which our suicide bomber used his explosives-filled car in the hotel,” a TTP spokesman wrote in a text message to a Reuters news agency reporter.
TTP is a separate insurgent group from the Afghan Taliban.
READ MORE: The reunification of the ‘Pakistani Taliban’ and its regional implications
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SERENA HOTEL
QUETTA
BALOCHISTANA large explosion has taken place in the parking area of Serena Hotel, #Quetta. At least 3 people have died and 9 are injured who have been shifted to the hospital. The area has been cordoned off and emergency response has reached the scene. pic.twitter.com/GrTAPzh4LR
— The A&O Board PSF (@AOBPSF) April 21, 2021
Restive province
Southwestern Baluchistan province is the scene of a long-running insurgency by secessionist groups like the Baluchistan Liberation Front and the Baluchistan Liberation Army.
They have for decades staged attacks to press their demands for independence.
The Pakistani Taliban and Daesh group also have a presence there.
READ MORE: The rebranded ‘Pakistani Taliban’ may pose a renewed threat
A huge explosion has taken place in #Quetta. Hear that its intensity is similar to the explosion at the Marriot Hotel.
The enemy is once again trying to make Pakistan a failed state but our alliance will make it fail inshallah.
May God keep everyone safe and sound. Aameen pic.twitter.com/Ps3sssgCys— Kaala Baloch (@KaalaPak) April 21, 2021
India blamed for attack in hotel where China envoy stayed
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed quickly blamed neighbouring India for the hotel bombing.
He told a Pakistani Geo news channel that Pakistan had only one enemy and it was neighbouring India, which he alleged was behind the bombing.
Ahmed said they had received intelligence about possible attacks in the capital, Islamabad and elsewhere and the information had been shared with relevant authorities to beef up security
Liaquat Shahwani, a provincial government spokesman, called the attack an act of terrorism.
“Terrorists want to disrupt peace in Baluchistan. Those who don’t want to see progress and prosperity in the Baluchistan province are responsible for this act of terrorism.”
Jam Kamal Khan, chief minister in Baluchistan, took to Twitter to condemn the bombing. Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said authorities were investigating and a statement would be issued later.
READ MORE: Was India involved in the 2014 Pakistan school attack?
Pakistan-Iran border crossing
Baluchistan’s Home Minister Ziaullah Langove said Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong was staying at the hotel at the time of the bombing but it was unclear what the motive was behind the attack.
He said no guests were hurt but that a police officer was among four people who died in the attack.
The hotel is frequented by foreigners as it is the city’s only luxury hotel and is considered safe.
Arbab Kamran Kasi, a doctor at Quetta’s main hospital, said about a dozen wounded were being brought their and they declared an emergency at the hospital to handle victims.
The bombing in Quetta came hours after Pakistan and neighbouring Iran opened a new border crossing point in Baluchistan to improve trade and economic relations.
Baluchistan shares a border with Iran and Afghanistan.
Source: TRTWorld and agencies