Quetta, March 16:
An explosion took place in a bus carrying security forces in Naushki in Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan. Five army officers were killed in the attack. While 12 army personnel were injured. According to media reports, the Baloch Liberation Army has taken responsibility for the attack. The Balochistan government has condemned the attack.
Police said the Pakistani army buses were carrying security forces. Local police chief Zafar Zamanani said a roadside bomb exploded near a bus on the Naushki-Dalbandin highway in Balochistan’s Naushki district. Another nearby bus was also badly damaged in the blast. The dead and injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack. Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said targeting innocent civilians was a brutal act.
No organization has taken responsibility for the attack. However, media reports are claiming that the attack was carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army.
The Zafar Express, which left Quetta for Peshawar on Tuesday, was hijacked by the insurgents in a tunnel near the hilly areas of Gudalar and Piru Kunri. The insurgents blew up the tracks and took control of the train as soon as it stopped. The nine-coach train was carrying more than 400 passengers. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed to have taken 214 passengers hostage. The insurgents killed 21 passengers when they attacked the train. In response, security forces launched an operation and killed all 33 attackers. (Agencies)
