August 2016 Quetta attacks

August 2016 Quetta Attacks were a series of deadly bombings and shootings that occurred in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, Pakistan, on 8 August 2016. The attacks targeted the government hospital of Quetta as mourners gathered to mourn the death of a prominent lawyer killed earlier in the day. The incident is one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan in 2016, resulting in at least 70 deaths and over 130 injuries.

Background

Quetta has been a hotspot for terrorism and insurgency-related activities for years, with various militant groups operating in the area, including the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The city has seen numerous attacks targeting security forces, government officials, and civilians.

Attack

On the morning of 8 August 2016, Bilal Anwar Kasi, the president of the Balochistan Bar Association, was shot dead by unknown gunmen while on his way to work. His death prompted a large number of lawyers and journalists to gather at the Civil Hospital in Quetta to express their condolences and protest against the ongoing violence.

As the mourners were assembled, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives among the crowd, causing a massive number of casualties. The attack was later claimed by both the ISKP and the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, though it remains unclear which group was actually responsible.

Aftermath

The August 2016 Quetta attacks led to a nationwide mourning and sparked outrage among the public and government officials. The Pakistani government declared a day of mourning, and security measures were tightened across the country. The attacks highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism and insurgency in the region.

In response to the attacks, the Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies intensified their counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan, aiming to dismantle the networks of militant groups operating in the area.

Impact

The attacks had a profound impact on the legal community in Pakistan, leading to calls for better protection for lawyers and judicial officials. It also underscored the vulnerability of public spaces in Pakistan to terrorist attacks and the importance of improving security measures to protect civilians.

See Also

• Terrorism in Pakistan
• List of terrorist incidents in Pakistan since 2001
• Balochistan conflict