Four people were killed and 32 injured in a blast targeting a bus in the suburban area of Balochistan’s Turbat on Saturday, according to the police.
Rabia Tariq, public relations officer for the Balochistan inspector general of police’s office, confirmed the toll to Dawn.com, adding that the nature of the blast was being assessed, but full details would be provided only after an investigation.
She said as per the initial details, a bus going from Karachi to Turbat was targeted in the New Bahman area, adding that the injured were moved to a nearby hospital with five being in critical condition.
Tariq said a large number of police and security forces reached the scene and cordoned off the area and further investigations were being conducted regarding the blast.
She said Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zohaib Mohsin was also going to Turbat with his family and was caught in the blast.
A statement from Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said SSP Mohsin was slightly injured, along with four of his family.
Rind said the bodies would be sent to their native areas after the necessary formalities and the injured were being provided medical assistance while those seriously injured were being moved to other cities.
The banned militant Balochistan Liberation Army group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and offered prayers for the deceased and injured.
“Terrorists will not be successful in their nefarious purposes. The government and security forces are working hard against the terrorists. There is determination to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.”
