QUETTA, May 18: Terrorists of a banned outfit attacked a pick-up bringing members of the Hazara community to Quetta with automatic weapons on Wednesday, killing seven of them.

A minor girl was among the dead in the attack at Killi Kamalo area, on the outskirts of Quetta. Five others were injuredA spokesman for the outlawed Lashkar-i-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to police, victims belonging to the Hazara community were going to Quetta in a pick-up after purchasing vegetables from the Hazar-Gangi’s main vegetable market to sell it in Quetta.

When the vehicle reached near Mir Gahi Khan Chowk area of Killi Kamalo, armed terrorists riding motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire, killing four people on the spot and injuring eight others.

The spokesman for Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, identifying himself as Ali Sher Haideri, called media through a satellite phone, claiming responsibility for the attack.

Police said that two pedestrians were also wounded in the firing.

“The unidentified men carrying automatic weapons and riding motorcycles escaped from the scene. The attack appears to be an incident of sectarian targeted killings,” police said.

The Hazaras belong to the Shia sect.

Five of the seven victims were identified as Ali Ahmed, Qurban Ali, Ghulam Ali, Ishaq Ali and Hanif Hazara.

The injured were Jan Ali, Yar Mohammad, Haji Jumma, Raheed Mari and Mohammad Qasim.

DEMONSTRATION: The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), Hazara National Jirga (HNJ) and Hazara Youth Organisation (HYO) condemned the killing and demanded of the federal government to dismiss the provincial government.