Six killed, 27 injured in blast near Balochistan Assembly
The explosion took place outside Balochistan Assembly on Zarghoon Road.
QUETTA (Dunya News) – At least six people including four security personnel were martyred and 27 others injured when a suicide bomber rammed into the truck of Balochistan Constabulary on Zarghoon Road today (Tuesday).
The attack took place near the legislative assembly of southwestern Balochistan province of which Quetta is the capital.
According to sources, a suicide bomber on a motorcyle targeted the security personnel when he failed to reach the assembly building due to strict security arrangements.
The security forces immediately cordoned off the blast site, whereas, rescue teams rushed to the spot and moved the injured persons to nearby hospitals.
The death toll is expected to rise as condition of several injured persons is said to be critical. The local authorities have also declared emergency at hospitals across the city.
Police and troops have been battling militants and separatist groups in mineral-rich Balochistan for more than a decade.
Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is the largest of the country s four provinces but its roughly seven million people have long argued they do not get a fair share of its vast gas and mineral wealth.
The province is Pakistan s most restive region, afflicted by militancy.
TIGHT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
More than six thousand security personnel were deployed in Quetta’s Red Zone area as the provincial lawmakers were expected to submit a no-confidence motion against Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri today.
Later, the provincial assembly session was adjourned after Sanaullah Zehri decided to step down on the advice of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The blast occurred amid heavy VIP movement in the area.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack, senior police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema told AFP.
-- With inputs from AFP --
