ISLAMABAD: At least five people were killed and five others wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in a busy market in Khuzdar district of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan, police said on Wednesday.
According to the police, the explosion occurred in a busy market in Khuzdar areas setting nearby vehicles on fire and causing widespread panic in the area.
Law enforcers added that the explosive device was planted in a motorcycle.
Following the blast, police and rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched relief efforts while shifting the injured to Naal and Khuzdar Teaching Hospitals. The area was also cordoned off.
Meanwhile, according to rescue service Edhi Foundation several people were injured and five killed in a blast in Khuzdar’s Naal Bazaar. It added that the casualties were moved to the hospital for treatment.
No terrorist group so far has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the blast in a statement, adding that orders were issued to provide the injured with the best medical care available.
“Terrorism will be eradicated in all its forms,” CM Bugti was quoted as saying. “Elements hostile to peace will fail in their nefarious objectives and those involved in this incident will be brought to justice.”
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind also condemned the blast and “regretted the loss of human life”.
“Terrorist elements cannot demoralise the people,” Rind said. “Cowardly acts are a conspiracy to sabotage law and order.”
Earlier today Pakistan’s security forces successfully thwarted a major terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, killing all 16 terrorists.
According to ISPR, the terrorists attempted to cause massive destruction but were met with a swift and effective response from security forces.
