8 army men among 15 killed in bomb attack in Pakistan

At least 8 military personnel among 15 have been killed while over 25 were injured in an explosion targeting an Army truck near Quetta’s Pishin Stop of Balochistan in Pakistan, the country’s ISPR said.

COAS condemns terrorist attack on Army truck in Quetta, an attempt to mar Indep Day festivity. Our resolve won't succumb to any challenge.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 12, 2017

“An attempt to mar Independence Day festivity. Our resolve won’t succumb to any challenge,” DG ISPR posted on Twitter.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that an Army truck was targeted in Quetta.

ISPR confirmed 15 people were killed including 7 civilians while 25 were injured, including 15 civilians.

“On-duty security vehicle was targeted in the blast, 10 security officials were also among those injured in the attack”, statement added.

“Incendiary explosive was used in the blast due to which nearby vehicles caught fire,” ISPR reported.

Army troops reached incident site and cordoned off the area. Injured are being shifted to CMH, added ISPR.

According to provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told media the explosion was intense and the death toll could rise further.

“The target was a security forces vehicle,” said Home Minister Bugti.

Casualties were also confirmed by rescue and hospital sources.

The explosion took place in a vehicle and multiple cars were set on fire after the explosion. The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta.

A fire broke out in the parked vehicles following the blast. Rescue services have reached the site and are conducting rescue activities. A large contingent of security forces have also reached the spot.

FC Hostel and the Balochistan Assembly are near the spot of the explosion and the area is categorised as sensitive.

Source: Daily Pakistan