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Pakistan Quetta bomb attack kills police | Pakistan Quetta bomb attack kills police |
(32 minutes later) | |
A bomb planted in a rickshaw has killed at least 12 people in Quetta in south west Pakistan, officials say. | A bomb planted in a rickshaw has killed at least 12 people in Quetta in south west Pakistan, officials say. |
At least 10 of the dead were said to be security personnel. A number of other people were wounded. | At least 10 of the dead were said to be security personnel. A number of other people were wounded. |
"The target was a truck of Balochistan Constabulary which was carrying the security personnel," police official Fayyaz Sumbal said. | "The target was a truck of Balochistan Constabulary which was carrying the security personnel," police official Fayyaz Sumbal said. |
Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is plagued by sectarian violence. | Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is plagued by sectarian violence. |
Security boosted | Security boosted |
Mr Sumbal said Thursday's explosion, which destroyed the police vehicle as it travelled through the outskirts of the city, was caused by a remote-controlled bomb. | Mr Sumbal said Thursday's explosion, which destroyed the police vehicle as it travelled through the outskirts of the city, was caused by a remote-controlled bomb. |
It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast. | It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast. |
The Pakistan government boosted security in Quetta earlier this year, after a series of attacks on the city's Shia minority. | The Pakistan government boosted security in Quetta earlier this year, after a series of attacks on the city's Shia minority. |
At least 120 people were killed in a twin suicide bomb attack on a crowded snooker club in January. | At least 120 people were killed in a twin suicide bomb attack on a crowded snooker club in January. |
And dozens more died in an explosion at a crowded market place in the city on 17 February. | And dozens more died in an explosion at a crowded market place in the city on 17 February. |
Most of those who died were from Pakistan's Hazara Shia community. Hundreds of ethic Hazaras in Quetta have been killed in such attacks over the last several years. | Most of those who died were from Pakistan's Hazara Shia community. Hundreds of ethic Hazaras in Quetta have been killed in such attacks over the last several years. |
As well as being hit by sectarian violence, the province of Balochistan has faced a decade-long separatist insurgency that has left thousands dead. Attacks on security forces are common. |