PAA bomb blast at a hospital in Quetta, south-west Pakistan, has left at least 53 people dead and dozens more injured.
The explosion occurred at the entrance to the emergency department where the body of a well-known lawyer, Bilal Anwar Kasi, shot dead earlier today was being brought, reports the BBC.
Those injured are reported to include a number of lawyers and journalists who were accompanying the body and there have been reports of gunfire following the explosion.
PAAs yet, it’s not clear who the attackers were, but Pakistani police have said they suspect the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
According to the BBC, there have been a number of targeted killings in Quetta, linked to a separatist insurgency with those killed in recent weeks, including several lawyers.
Mr Kasi was president of the Balochistan Bar Association and it is believed he may have been targeted after announcing a two-day boycott of court sessions in protest at the killing of a colleague.
PAPakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said:
No one will be allowed to disturb the peace of the province. The people, policy and security forces in Balochistan have given sacrifices for the country.
A few of those killed in the hospital attack have been named as Baz Muhammad Kakar, a predecessor of Mr Kasi as provincial bar president, 17 other lawyers and Shahzad Khan, a cameraman for Aaj TV.
Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the attack.
