Shooting and Bombing in Pakistan

[Northern_Piper]

At the town of Quetta in Baluchistan.

First reports indicate that a prominent lawyer was shot and killed. Then when members of the bar went to the hospital to mourn, a suicide bomber targeted them.

The bar in Pakistan has been active in support of civil government and the rule of law. Looks like they’re now being targeted by the Taliban.

Hope AK84 is alright - I don’t think he practises in Quetta, but … I just hope he’s okay.

Pakistan hospital bomb attack kills dozens in Quetta

A suicide bomb attack has killed at least 70 people at a hospital in Quetta in south-west Pakistan, officials say.

About 120 others were injured in the blast, which happened at the entrance to the emergency department where the body of a prominent lawyer shot dead earlier on Monday was being brought.

The casualties included lawyers and journalists accompanying the body of Bilal Anwar Kasi.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban has said it was behind the bombing.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar said it had also carried out the earlier attack on Mr Kasi, who was president of the Balochistan Bar Association and had been shot while on his way from his home to the main court complex in Quetta.

[JoseB]

@Northern_Piper

At the town of Quetta in Baluchistan.

First reports indicate that a prominent lawyer was shot and killed. Then when members of the bar went to the hospital to mourn, a suicide bomber targeted them.

The bar in Pakistan has been active in support of civil government and the rule of law. Looks like they’re now being targeted by the Taliban.

Hope AK84 is alright - I don’t think he practises in Quetta, but … I just hope he’s okay.

Pakistan hospital bomb attack kills dozens in Quetta

Sources close to the Pakistani government, as well as ex-president Musharraf, have accused the RAW (the foreign intelligence agency of India) of being behind the bombings by dint of having hired extremists in Pakistan to carry out attacks.

I must emphasize that all this comes, as far as I can see, only from Pakistani sources. It sounds like something that the Pakistani government would do by default: Blame India (in the same way that India would blame Pakistan in similar circumstances).

If (and this is a big IF) there is any truth to these allegations, India would be making, in my opinion, a grievous mistake. As the characters in the webcomic “Schlock Mercenary” put it, “the enemy of my enemy is my enemy’s enemy. No more. No less.”

I also hope that AK84 is well. Please, AK84, let us know that you are OK.

[Nava]

@Northern_Piper

The bar in Pakistan has been active in support of civil government and the rule of law.

Which at first sight sounds like a “no shit” proposition, but sadly isn’t (see: nurses against vaccines), so good for them.

It’s a very fucked up world when someone will be a target for doing his job properly. And for us, having AK84 there makes it much more personal than if we didn’t know him; for him it hits, uh, a lot closer to home (sorry, I don’t know how to put it better).

[AK84]

Thanks guys, sorry I missed this earlier. Unfortunately, I knew several of the people killed, which includes two former classmates and about 4 or 5 other men whom I had worked with (or against) on cases.

Thanks a lot guys.

[Northern_Piper]

Glad to hear you’re okay!

[Northern_Piper]

Very sorry to hear about your colleagues.

[truthSeeker2]

Sad incident.
Pakistani army n Intelligence agency ISI are the only reasons for terrorism in south Asia.

I don’t see a way out unfortunately. Conflict is their bread n butter. It’s they who call the shots unfortunately, not the civilian govt. Plus they are a nuclear power.

[Northern_Piper]

AK84, just curious - what percentage of the Pakistan bar would those casualties amount to? (Just trying to put it into some personal perspective for myself. ). Also, is the bar divided so these were mainly barristers, like yourself?

Again, condolences. Adds a whole new meaning to “the best traditions of the Bar.”