Quaid-e-Azam Residency attack

On June 15, 2013, the historical Quaid-e-Azam Residency, which housed the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his last two months and ten days, was attacked and completely burnt down by militants belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army.[1][2] The reconstruction work was completed and the reconstructed Ziarat Residency was inaugurated on Independence Day which is on 14 Aug , 2014.[3]

2013 Quaid-e-Azam Residency attack
Part of due to the Balochistan conflict
Quaid-e-Azam Residency, Ziarat, Pakistan
Coordinates30°22′50.64″N 67°43′45″E
DateJune 15, 2013 (2013-06-15)
1:15 AM (PST)
TargetMemorials in Quaid-e-Azam Residency
Attack type
soft
WeaponsHand grenades and Rockets and crains
Deaths1 Pakistani policeman
Injured1 Pakistani policeman
PerpetratorsBalochistan Liberation Army

Attack

Four to five terrorists riding on two motorcycles attacked the heritage site immediately after midnight on June 15, 2013. They fired three rockets from an unknown location, then stormed the building using assault rifles and hand grenades.[4] A policeman identified as Muhammad Tahir Jan and two unarmed watchmen were killed during the initial assault.[5][6] The attackers then moved inside and planted more than six bombs. They took down the Pakistani flag from the building and replaced it with the flag of BLA. The militants escaped unharmed after setting the building alight.[7][8]

After the attack fire-brigades were called in from Quetta to extinguish the blaze, and the fire was extinguished after a four-hour struggle, but the building had completely burned down.[9][10] Six of the bombs planted inside the residency were defused by the Bomb disposal squad, who reported that each bomb weighed 2 to 3 kilograms.[11]

Investigations

The interior Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhry Nisar presented the preliminary investigation report of the attack in the National Assembly of Pakistan on the same day. He reported that firing and five explosions occurred on the residency premises at approximately 1:15 am.[7][8][12]

The Frontier Corps and the law enforcement authorities also started investigations of the incident.[13]

Aftermath

According to initial reports by the police, the attack resulted in complete destruction of all the old memorials housed in the residency. The chairs, beds, and historic photographs of the founder of Pakistan were also badly damaged.[5]

Reactions

Domestic
  • Sindh The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He termed the attack "a national tragedy", demanded investigations of the incident and asked for "stern action" to be taken against the perpetrators.[14]
The Governor of Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan condemned the rocket attack on the residency. He expressed "deep grief and sorrow" over the attack and termed it as "an attack on the whole nation". He also sympathised with the families of the victims.[15]
  • Balochistan, Pakistan The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Abdul Malik Baloch strongly condemned the act and stated that the "perpetrators of the attack would be brought to book".[16] He called for a day of mourning to be observed across Balochistan on June 16, 2013.[17]
  • On 16 June, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution on Saturday condemning the terrorist attack on the Residency. The resolution was moved by the Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq.[18][19]
  • Several political leaders condemned terrorists’ attack on the Residency. In their statements PTI Chief Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, PPP leader Khursheed Shah and MQM leader Altaf Hussain condemned the attack on Ziarat Residency.[20]
  • The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif also condemned the attack, and expressed sorrow and grief over the casualties. He announced that all measures will be taken to ensure the safety and security of national assets and heritage sites in future.[21]

Foreign
  • United Nations UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the deadly attacks in Ziarat and Quetta. In a statement issued by his spokesman, he stated that "no cause can justify such violence". The secretary-general also extended his condolences to the victims and their families, as well as the government of Pakistan.[22]

Reconstruction

The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Abdul Malik Baloch assured that Jinnah's residence would be restored in its original condition. He stated that he will even call foreign experts to restore the Ziarat residency in its original form.[16]

On June 16, 2013, the Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan flew to Ziarat and announced to rebuild the Residency within three to four months as it was a national heritage.[23] He stated “We are with the terror-hit people of Balochistan at this time of grief. We will also extend our support to the provincial government”.[24]

The reconstruction work was completed within the next four months and the reconstructed Ziarat Residency was inaugurated on August 14, 2014.[3]

Response

DG ISPR General Asim Bajwa, during a press conference on September 12, 2013, said that all militants who participated in the attack had been captured by the army during Operation Zarb-e-Azab.[25]

References
  1. Farah Jamil. "BLA claims attack on Jinnah residency in Ziarat | AAJ News". Aaj.tv. Archived from the original on 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  2. "BLA claims attack on Jinnah residency in Ziarat". Express Tribune. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  3. "Rehabilitated Ziarat Residency to be inaugurated on August 14th - Pakistan". Dawn.Com. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  4. "Ziarat: Quaid e Azam Residency catches fire in rocket attack | Pakistan". geo.tv. 2013-06-09. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  5. "Bomb attack destroys Quaid's residency in Ziarat". Nation.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  6. "Quaid-e-Azam Residency Destroyed in Terrorist Attack". buitems.net. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  7. Correspondent, Our (15 June 2013). "BLA destroys Jinnah's Residency in Ziarat – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  8. "Nisar presents preliminary report on Ziarat attack in NA". Nation.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  9. "Rockets attack Quaid e Azam Residency, policeman killed". Awaz.tv. 15 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  10. "BLA responsible for attack on Quaid-e-Azam residency". Geo. 15 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  11. "Attack on Quaid's Residency, attack on Pakistan". Pakobserver.net. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  12. "Nisar presents preliminary report on Ziarat attack in NA". Thefrontierpost.com. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  13. Syed Ali Shah (15 June 2013). "Bomb attack destroys Quaid's residency in Ziarat - DAWN.COM". Beta.dawn.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  14. Imaduddin (2013-06-10). "Sindh CM condemns terrorist attack on Quaid-e-Azam Residency, Ziarat". Brecorder.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  15. Imaduddin (2013-06-10). "Sindh Governor condemns attack on Quaid-e-Azam Residency, Ziarat". Brecorder.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  16. Syed Ali Shah (15 June 2013). "CM Balochistan condemns attack on Jinnah's Ziarat residency; vows to rebuild - DAWN.COM". Beta.dawn.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  17. "Balochistan mourns over yesterday's terror incidents". Thenews.com.pk. 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  18. "Senate resolution condemns attack on Ziarat Residency". Thenews.com.pk. 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  19. Correspondent, Our (2011-02-23). "Parliament session: Senate condemns Ziarat attack – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  20. "Attack On Quiad's Residency Condemned". CNBC Pakistan. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  21. "PM Nawaz condemns attack on Quaid-e-Azam residency | Pakistan". geo.tv. 2013-06-09. Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  22. "UN chief condemns attacks in Ziarat, Quetta". Thenews.com.pk. 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  23. "Govt to reconstruct Quaid-e-Azam Residency: Nisar | Pakistan". geo.tv. 2013-06-09. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  24. "Ziarat Residency to be rebuilt in 3 months: Nisar | SamaaTV | Latest News". Hamariweb.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  25. =http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/09/12/national/malala-yousafzais-attackers-arrested/ Archived 2014-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
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