Pakistani residents mourn Quetta bomb blast victims
Seen here, the remnants of two bomb blasts in the city of Quetta in Pakistan yesterday, which killed 81 people and injuring more than 120 others. After the attacks, three days of mourning have been announced in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
The deadly coordinated sectarian bomb attacks occurred within minutes of each other at a snooker hall. According to police, a suicide bomber walked into the building before detonating the first explosion, before a second blast from a car bomb occurring once rescue services and television crews had arrived at the scene.
The banned Sunni militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted the Hazara community in the predominantly Shiite neighbourhood.
Haji Khair Nazi, a local resident, expressed his shock and outrage at what occurred.
"This is extreme cruelty. Nothing can be more cruel than what has happened. A Muslim is bombing another Muslim. What can be worse than this? Just look at what they have done to our city. We are not Israelis that they are bombing us like this. There is no control in this country."
Another resident, Gul Khan, called on the army to take action.
"I request the Chief of army staff General Kayani to bring his troops out all over the country, and put an end to this system (government). We don't want this anymore. So many families are being destroyed."
Quetta lies in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, an area long troubled by separatist rebellions and sectarian infighting between Sunnis and Shias.
Written and presented by Alfred Joyner