A four-star hotel in Balochistan’s capital Quetta was rocked by a blast late on Wednesday night. While the nature of the blast is yet to be ascertained by the security forces, the militant group Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for what looked like a terrorist attack.
Video Quetta blast. Several killed and injured at Serena hotel parking blast. pic.twitter.com/x3l6ajyXkv
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) April 21, 2021
At least four people have been killed and a dozen injured in the attack that rocked the parking area of Serena Hotel. Deputy Commissioner of Quetta, Aurangzeb Badini in a Twitter post confirmed that the blast was “reportedly a VBIED+SB blast in which 12 people got injured and 04 have succumbed to their wounds”. While providing details of the injured, he revealed that “two Assistant Commissioners are also among the injured”.
In a related tweet the deputy commissioner requested the people to refrain from circulating any rumors as it was still a developing situation. He said, “Casualties have been shifted to hospital. Situation is under control; people are requested to avoid rumors and don’t create panic. Will update shortly.”
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Chief Minister of Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan, strongly condemned the blast through a Twitter post.
کوئٹہ میں سرینا ہوٹل کی پارکنگ میں ہونے والے بم دھماکے کی شدید مذمت ۔
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) April 21, 2021
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry said, “Federal Interior Ministry is in close contact with the Government of Balochistan and currently initial investigation is taking place, once the nature of the blast and losses are ascertained, government will issue a statement.”
وفاقی وزارت داخلہ حکومت بلوچستان کے ساتھ قریبی رابطے میں ہے اور ابتدائ تحقیقات کی جارہی ہیں جوں ہی دھماکے کی نوعیت اور نقصانات کا تعین ہو گا حکومت بیان جاری کرے گی۔۔ #QuettaBlast
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 21, 2021
Intended Target: Chinese Delegation?
There were reports of a possible presence of a high-level Chinese delegation, which included the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, at Serena Hotel when the blast occurred. The ambassador was staying at the hotel for his official engagements related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the city.
Federal Interior Minister, Sheikh Rasheed said, “A Chinese delegation of around four people led by the ambassador was lodging in the hotel but the ambassador was out for a meeting when the explosion took place.”
Sources in the Chinese Embassy have also confirmed that the ambassador along with his delegation are safe and were not present at the hotel when the blast occurred. “They had gone out for dinner”, according to Tahir Khan, a journalist based in Islamabad.
#quetta blast: Chinese embassy sources say members of the Chinese delegation are safe and at another place. They were not at Serena hotel at the time of the blast. Local sources say Chinese envoy had gone out of hotel fr dinner.
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) April 21, 2021
Salman Masood, Pakistan Correspondent for The New York Times, closely covered the incident. In a Twitter post he wondered how a security breach at one of the most secure resorts in Quetta was possible. “Serena Hotel in Quetta is considered very secure. Local and international guests routinely stay there during the visit to the city. But the explosion Wednesday — even though in the parking lot — is still quite a security breach,” he said.
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Serena Hotel in Quetta is considered very secure. Local and international guests routinely stay there during the visit to the city. But the explosion Wednesday — even though in the parking lot — is still quite a security breach.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) April 21, 2021
While commenting on the reports of Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility of the attack, he said, “They say they targeted locals and foreigners at Serena. The TTP statement doesn’t mention any nationalities of the targets.”
Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility of the Quetta attack and say they targeted locals and foreigners at Serena. The TTP statement doesn’t mention any nationalities of the targets.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) April 21, 2021