Bus Blast in Pakistan’s Violent Baluchistan Province Kills at Least 11

A bus in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was blasted killing at least 11 and leaving 22 injured.

Blast in Pakistan; 11 killed

The explosion that took place in a passenger bus in the Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, killed 11 and injured at least 22. The incident happened just while the vehicle was about to leave a bus terminal at Quetta’s Saryab road yesterday night.

Most of the deceased were daily wage labourers, according to reports. Eight of the injured are in a critical condition. According to Almish Khan, Inspector General Police of Balochistan province, a timer bomb was planted on the roof of the bus in one of the baggages of the passengers.

“It was meant to cause maximum damage and casualties as this is the last bus to leave the terminal everyday,” said Almish Khan. Most of the causalities in the attack were the ones sitting on the roof of the bus. All the deceased were killed immediately after the blast. “The dead include two children while eight passengers who were brought to the hospital are in a critical condition,” said Dr. Noor Baloch, a police surgeon.

The passenger bus with a registration number BSA-348 which was the last bus for the day was fully packed with passengers at a bus terminal in Dukani Baba Chowk area at the main Saryab Road.

The violent act was condemned by the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Malik Baloch. He considered the attack as “a conspiracy against durable peace in Balochistan.”

The restive province of Balochistan has been affected due to the violence by ethnic Baloch fighting for greater control over resources and other militants linked to Al-Qaeda. These forces have been targeted by the security forces of the country under National Action Plan.