JUI-F leader Maulana Hanif, 2 others killed in Chaman blast

At least three people, including a leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), were killed and at least a dozen other people were injured in a blast that rocked the Chaman area of Balochistan’s Qilla Abdullah district on Saturday.

According to initial reports, the blast occurred when JUI-F leader Maulana Muhammad Hanif was passing through the busy Taj Road area where business centers, offices of media outlets, and political parties are located.

The bomb was planted in a parked motorcycle. The blast also shattered windows of the nearby buildings. and was heard in far off areas.

Taj Road in Chaman is located just kilometers away from Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.

According to Chaman Assistant Commissioner Yasir Dashti, explosion initially left Maulana Muhammad Hanif, a central leader of the JUI-F, critically injured. He was being shifted to Quetta when he succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, Dashti said.

The injured from the incident were shifted to Civil Hospital Chaman, where an emergency was declared.

Police cordoned off the area  and further investigations are reportedly underway.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman condemned the bomb blast, urging his party workers to aid in rescue activities.

“Maulana Mohammad Haneef was a sincere leader,” said Fazl-ur-Rehman. He as called the incident a conspiracy against peace.