QUETTA, Pakistan — A roadside explosion near a police vehicle in a bustling market area of Quetta on Thursday killed two people and wounded at least 17 others, local officials said, in the latest incident to rattle the capital of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.
The blast occurred near a police van in the busy Berch Market area along Double Road, according to Dawn, a leading Pakistani newspaper. The explosion caused widespread panic and sent residents fleeing the area.
Waseem Baig, a spokesperson for the Balochistan Health Department, confirmed the fatalities and said the injured were taken to the trauma center at Civil Hospital. At least four of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition.
In a statement, Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said the explosion targeted a police vehicle and that an investigation was underway to determine the nature of the blast.
Footage circulating on social media showed crowds gathered at the blast site, where a scorched motorcycle and a damaged police van were visible.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the bombing, calling it a “cowardly act of terror during the holy month of Ramadan.” In a statement, he said the attack reflected the “malicious intent of terrorist groups.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also denounced the attack, expressing regret over the loss of life and blaming “hostile forces” for targeting Balochistan. “These conspiracies will be defeated,” he said.
Balochistan has witnessed a sharp deterioration in security in recent months, with separatist insurgents frequently launching attacks against security forces and government officials.
