20 killed in Pakistan blast

A roadside bomb ripped through a bus in Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 20 Shia passengers and wounding 25 others, local media reported.

The blast took place around 6.00 p.m. in Hazarganji area of Balochistan province, Xinhua quoted the Urdu channel AAJ TV as saying.

About 50 Shia Muslims were aboard the Quetta-bound bus from Iran. They were returning from a pilgrimage. The vehicle was destroyed.

Authorities said about 50 kg of explosives were used for the blast.

One of the two police vehicles providing security to the bus was also attacked, leaving at least one policeman dead and three others injured.

–IANS