Islamabad, June 30 (ANI): The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the killing of Shia pilgrims in Balochistan, and claimed that the incident proved terrorism still persists in the country.

The commission said that terrorists still persisted with their 'vicious and systematic campaign' to target citizens on account of their religious beliefs as the state has either been unwilling or increasingly unable to prevent the blatant killings.

HRCP shares the grief of the families of those killed and injured in Thursday's terrorist attack in Quetta that targeted a bus of Shia pilgrims. After the brazen attack on a bus of Iran-bound pilgrims in Mastung district of Balochistan last year, it was certain that unless the culprits were brought to justice they would strike again, the Daily Times quoted the HRCP, as saying, in a statement.

Only difference was that those dead and injured were taken to hospitals relatively quickly. The number of Shias killed in systemic and targeted attacks in Balochistan in 2012 alone has exceeded 60. Everyone knows who the perpetrators are, it added.

The commission said that with each attack, allegations of the attackers enjoying sympathy and support among security forces gained more credence, at least in views of the targeted community.

The statement further read, HRCP unequivocally condemns the attack and is shocked by the authorities' inability or unwillingness to act against terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has repeatedly claimed responsibility for these attacks.he human rights group claimed that the investigation of the attack must also look into the charges of support for the terrorists among the security agencies. (ANI)