Quetta attack traced back to Afghanistan, claims Pakistani officials

AVA- “The Chief of General Staff thanked them and informed the diplomatic corps that yesterday’s terrorist attack had been traced back to Afghanistan,” according to a statement by the foreign ministry of Pakistan.

No further details have been given regarding the claims made by the Chief of General Staff of Pakistan  who reportedly made the remarks during a meeting attended by the foreign ambassadors and diplomats on Wednesday.

According to the Pakistani officials, the meeting was organized in response to the recent US decisions for blocking aid to Pakistan and with an aim to brief the diplomats regarding the steps Pakistan has taken in the fight against terrorism.

Tuesday’s incident in Quetta took place in the vicinity of Zarghoon Road close to the General Assembly of Balochistan, leaving seven people dead and sixteen others wounded.

Balochistan’s Inspector General of Police Moazam Jah Ansari told reporters that eight policemen were also injured in the attack.

The Afghan and Pakistani officials often blame the attacks on the anti-government armed elements having safe havens on the two sides of the Durand Line.

The Afghan officials often blame the Haqqani terrorist network for the large scale attacks in Kabul and other parts of the Afghanistan, claiming that the network uses its safe havens in Pakistan for orchestrating such attacks. A claim which has often been endorsed by US officials as well.