QUETTA: Two people have been killed and another 14 reportedly injured on Tuesday after a motorcycle parked close to a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle blew up in Quetta, medical and police officials said. According to Civil Hospital Spokesperson Wasim- Baig, two bodies were brought to the hospital while another 14 injured — including 2 security forces personnel — have been admitted to the facility’s trauma wing. The number is expected to rise as rescue operations are still under way. The explosion occurred on McConaghey Road, close to Liaquat Bazar, local news channels reported. Police have cordoned off the area for a search operation. Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal condemned the tragic incident and has sought a detailed report. “Cowardly terrorists once again seek to upend peace in the city as well as the province,” he said, vowing that the establishment of lasting peace will be ensured. He said that those who had “targeted innocent civilians for such terror will be brought to justice”. The chief minister declared that more effective security measures will be put in place for the city’s protection and the “terrorists will no longer be able to act with impunity”. Kamal instructed the health secretary to ensure that the best possible treatment is given to the injured and extended his heartfelt condolences to the heirs of the deceased. The blast comes after a respite of some weeks in what has traditionally been a violence-prone area. In November, at least two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were martyred and five others injured in an explosion in Quetta’s Kuchlak area. The FC personnel were on routine patrol in the area when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated.
