QUETTA – At least four people were killed and 18 others injured in a blast near police van in a busy market of southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan on Monday.
Police said the explosion occurred in Kandahari market at Sahara-e-Allama Iqbal in provincial capital Quetta as the market was crowded for eid shopping. They said the militants had attempted to target SSP investigation in the attack.
All bodies and injured have been shifted to the Civil hospital where one of the killed has been identified as a minor girl.
Security forces have cordoned off the area to collect evidence.
The blast happened days after security forces arrested the founder of banned Balochistan National Army (BNA) Gulzar Imam alias Shambay in a successful intelligence operation.
The ISPR revealed that the BNA was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including ones on law enforcement agency (LEA) installations in Panjgur and Noshki.
Last week, the National Security Committee (NSC) approved the launch of an all-out comprehensive operation with the support of the nation and the government with renewed resolve and determination to get rid of the menace of terrorism.
The approval to this effect was accorded in the 41st meeting of the NSC chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This comprehensive and all-out operation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestation from Pakistan will also include efforts at the political, diplomatic security, economic and social levels.
A high-level committee has also been constituted in this regard that will prepare recommendations regarding its implementation and limitations within two weeks.
The meeting acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces for providing lasting peace to the nation.
