Calling A Spade.

The attack in Quetta on Friday morning was a horrific tragedy. At least 20 people were killed and 48 were injured in the blast, which is being reported as a suicide attack. Among the fallen were nine Hazara people and one Frontier Corps (FC) soldier who was deputed for the community's security, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema. The 10 others who lost their lives included shopkeepers, businessmen and citizens working or residing in the area.

Official authorities are shying away from terming the bombing as a targeted attack fuelled by ethnic and religious hatred against the Hazara community. Yet the evidence on the ground and the past history of Quetta certainly points to the attack being motivated by racist sentiment. The attack took place in the Hazarganji area in Quetta; a marketplace which is known as a source of livelihood for Hazara shopkeepers to stock vegetables and fruits from the bazaar to sell at their own shops. The area has also been the target of previous attacks on Hazaras.

Indeed, the Hazara community of Quetta is also of the opinion that the horrific attack was meant to target them. Community leader Qadir Nayil asked the government to provide better protection to their community, which has been an often persecuted and targeted community.

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