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Petrol station attack 'kills 18' in Pakistan | Petrol station attack 'kills 18' in Pakistan |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 18 people have been killed after attackers opened fire at a petrol station in south-western Pakistan, triggering a huge blaze, officials say. | At least 18 people have been killed after attackers opened fire at a petrol station in south-western Pakistan, triggering a huge blaze, officials say. |
Reported victims of the attack in the Balochistan town of Khuzdar included seven women and four children who had been sitting in a van at the station. | Reported victims of the attack in the Balochistan town of Khuzdar included seven women and four children who had been sitting in a van at the station. |
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. | No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. |
Balochistan is seen as a Taliban and al-Qaeda stronghold. Separatists are also active in the province. | Balochistan is seen as a Taliban and al-Qaeda stronghold. Separatists are also active in the province. |
Anti-insurgent groups, believed to be raised and supported by security forces, also operate in the area. | Anti-insurgent groups, believed to be raised and supported by security forces, also operate in the area. |
Charred bodies | Charred bodies |
The Khuzdar attack happened late on Friday afternoon, senior Khuzdar official Abdul Mansoor Kakar told reporters. | The Khuzdar attack happened late on Friday afternoon, senior Khuzdar official Abdul Mansoor Kakar told reporters. |
He said the gunmen attacked a passenger van, and one of the bullets hit petrol pumps as the vehicle was refuelling. | He said the gunmen attacked a passenger van, and one of the bullets hit petrol pumps as the vehicle was refuelling. |
This triggered a massive fire, leaving some bodies charred beyond recognition. | This triggered a massive fire, leaving some bodies charred beyond recognition. |
Balochistan is one of Pakistan's most impoverished provinces, despite having vast natural resources. | Balochistan is one of Pakistan's most impoverished provinces, despite having vast natural resources. |
It has also been plagued by sectarian violence in recent months - with many attacks by hardline Sunni Muslims on the minority Shia community. | |
On top of all that, says the BBC's Ilyas Khan in Islamabad, Balochistan is now facing an acute administrative crisis and power struggle amid the uncertainty of national elections next spring. | |
Last month, the Balochistan government was told in a Supreme Court ruling that it had "lost the authority to govern the province", adds our correspondent. |
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