Two-kg time bomb explodes outside Balochistan University
Two policemen were killed, and eight people injured in an explosion at a security check post outside the gate of Balochistan University on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
According to police, a time bomb weighing two kilograms detonated near the check post.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that two policemen had been killed but said five people were injured in the attack.
“Two policemen were killed and five people including three policemen were injured in the blast,” he said, adding that the blast would be investigated from all angles.
The minister said the explosion occurred outside the gate of Balochistan University, where security personnel were deployed, adding that the nature of the blast is not yet known.
Emergency services were dispatched to the area and the injured have been shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta. Law enforcement forces have cordoned off the area.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have strongly condemned the Quetta blast.
In separate statements, the two prayed for the departed souls and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. They directed the authorities concerned to provide best possible medical treatment to those injured in the despicable incident.
Balochistan chief minister also took notice of the incident and directed the authorities to submit a report at the earliest.
The bodies of the slain policemen were also transported to the hospital, where senior doctors were called in to treat the injured. An emergency was declared in the hospital.
Militants have conducted attacks against security forces and national installations in Balochistan, which has been plagued by an insurgency and growing sectarian killings for more than a decade.
MAJOR TERROR ATTEMPT THWARTED IN DERA MURAD JAMALI:
Meanwhile, the Frontier Constabulary (FC) has thwarted a major terror attempt in Dera Murad Jamali area of Quetta.
The FC officials have recovered a 10 kg explosive material planted on Mir Hassan road. The FC personnel have cordoned off the area and started a search operation to arrest the terrorists.