QUETTA: The Kharotabad police station came under a grenade attack during a violent protest on Wednesday as an enraged mob demanded that the police hand over a blasphemy suspect to them.

Police arrested the suspect after registering a case against him on blasphemy charges.

The protesters belonging to TLP and other religious parties blocked traffic on the western bypass by placing burning tyres on the road and staged rallies in several parts of the provincial capital.

They later hurled a hand grenade at the Kharotabad police station, demanding the custody of the blasphemy suspect. The grenade, however, exploded outside the police station.

No human loss was reported in the attack.

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“We have registered an FIR against the blasphemy suspect and arrested him soon after receiving information about the incident,” a senior police officer said.

According to the complaint, a resident of Kharotabad, used objectionable words against the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). His alleged phone conversation was viral on social media, triggering sharp criticism and protests.

Some enraged people gathered on the western bypass and put barricades and bounders on the road to suspend traffic. They also protested in front of Kharotabad police station and chanted slogans against the incident. They demanded that the suspect arrested by police on the charges of blasphemy be handed over to them as they would decide his fate.

The police informed the protesters that FIR was registered against him under Sections 295C and 34 of the penal code and investigation was underway.

Officials of the district administration and senior police officers after negotiations with the TLP leaders later managed to disperse the crowd and the western bypass was reopened.

The TLP later took out protest rallies in other parts of Quetta and marched on different roads carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024