QUETTA: A homemade explosive device targeted a police van on early Monday morning in Hazar Ganji area of Quetta, ARY News reported.
According to initial reports, several people including policemen sustained minor injuries as result of the blast, which partially damaged the police vehicle and the entrance gate of Hazar Ganji Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market).
It was a homemade IED that went off at the main gate of market, apparently targeting a police van, security officials told media.
However, no casualities have been reported in the incident. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital.
The bomb disposal squad (BDS) team has reached the blast scene and inspecting the spot.
Moreover, security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.
Security challenges
Balochistan has faced a number of security challenges in recent months, with security personnel in the province often being targeted in roadside explosions.
At least eight people – including seven policemen – lost their lives, while 22 police personnel were injured in a deadly car bombing on Sibi Road within the jurisdiction of Sariab Road police station of Balochistan’s capital city Quetta on Oct 18 (last week).
CTD Inspector gunned down
A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) inspector, identified as Abdul Salam, was gunned down by unknown armed assailants just hours after the car bombing on Oct 18.
Earlier in June, three security officials were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) seemingly targeted their vehicle in the Johan area of Kalat.
Days later, two navy sailors were martyred and at least three others were wounded when their vehicle was attacked in the Jiwani area of Gwadar district.
In May, at least 10 labourers were killed in Balochistan’s Gwadar district when unidentified assailants opened fire at the construction site where they were working.
