Quick response from security forces save Quetta from APS like tragedy

QUETTA: The provincial capital just averted an APS School like incident today. Had the police not responded quickly to the reports of militant attack on Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Quetta’s Zarghoon road, the death toll could have been much higher as hundreds of people were inside the church.

At least eight people were killed and over 30 wounded when two suicide bombers attacked the church during a Sunday service, just over a week before Christmas, police said.

Officials said security forces intercepted and shot one bomber outside but the second attacker managed to reach the church´s main door where he blew himself up.

Saving a dreadful attack from happening when some 400 Christians were offering their Sunday prayers at the Church, security officials neutralized the attackers at the entrance, said IG Balochistan Moazzam Jah. Had the bomber managed to escape inside, massive casualties would have been reported otherwise, he noted.

However, LEAs quick-thinking and adequate retaliatory response not only helped in escorting children and their families outside the Church hall, but also made the attack unsuccessful by barricading the main entrance.

Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa praised the effective and prompt response undertaken by the security forces.

"The terrorists had weapons and it seems they wanted to take hostages inside the church. The police and FC guards present stopped this from happening," stated Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Home Minister – Balochistan.

Bugti further posted on Twitter that it took a total of 16 minutes only to complete the operation led by CCPO, IGP Balochistan and DC Quetta.

Pictures showcasing security forces helping people to flee from sight safely bear witness of the swiftness in response and intelligence, which actually prevented a huge attack that could have claimed innocent lives.