An explosion targeting a security forces vehicle in Balochistan’s Harnai district on Monday evening resulted in the martyrdom of six security personnel and injuries to three others.
The injured were rushed to Quetta for medical treatment.
The FC personnel were on a routine patrol when they were targetted.
A senior administration officer, who declined to be named, said that miscreants had targetted a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Khost area of Harnai district.
The officer said the explosion had severely damaged the vehicle.
Soon after the blast, a large contingent of FC personnel and levies forces reached the spot.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Zehri strongly condemned the blast and directed law enforcers to bring the perpetrators to book.
“We will not spare the elements involved in this act,” the chief minister said in a statement issued to the press after the incident.
The attack, which came as the nation celebrated Independence Day — Pakistan’s secession from India and freedom from British Rule — renewed fears of instability in the province.
Harnai borders Quetta district, where an explosion just last Saturday, August 12, had resulted in the martyrdom of eight army personnel. The explosion had targetted a vehicle carrying military personnel.
The Quetta explosion, which occurred near Quetta’s Pishin Stop, had claimed a total of 15 lives and left at least 32 injured.