Forty-three people were killed and over 120 others injured in four bomb attacks in the restive Pakistani provinces of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa today, with terrorists targeting a security forces vehicle and a religious gathering. A powerful bomb went off under a security forces vehicle at the busy Bacha Khan Chowk in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, killing 12 people and injuring about 40 others. The blast was heard from several kilometres away. The roundabout, located near several markets, was crowded when the explosion occurred. Officials at a nearby hospital said 12 people, including two children and a Frontier Corps personnel, were killed. They said they had received about 40 injured people, including several children and security personnel. Police said the blast was caused by a timed explosive device planted under the security forces vehicle. An estimated 20 kg of explosives was used in the attack. The blast caused a large crater and destroyed about 10 cars, including the security forces vehicle. In the second incident, 22 people were killed and nearly 70 injured in an explosion at a “tablighi markaz” (preaching centre) near Mingora, the main town in Swat Valley of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, this evening. The blast occurred in the basement of the centre at Takhta Band Road. State-run Radio Pakistan reported the blast was caused by a gas cylinder but police officials subsequently described the incident as an act of terrorism. Several injured persons said there were no gas cylinders nearby. Officials at a hospital in Saidu Sharif said the dead and injured were hit by ball bearings, which are often used in explosive devices. Officials confirmed 22 people were killed and said several of the injured were in a serious condition. The blast occurred when a large group of people had gathered in the centre for prayers. Later in the evening, nine persons were killed and 15 more injured when two bombs went off within minutes of each other at Alamdar Road and Airport Road in Quetta, police said. PTI
