Dead after explosive-laden motorcycle rams Pakistani security forces vehicle

The blast, which could be heard from quite a distance, killed as many as eight people including a Frontier Corps (FC) personnel while injuring several people.

Quetta is the capital of the restive Balochistan province, which is also home to a separatist insurgency that has been raging since 2004.

The death toll is feared to go up as some of the injured are in critical condition.

According to sources, suicide bomber on a cycle blew himself up near the FC vehicle close to Liaquat Park.

Meanwhile, the security forces reached the site and cordoned off the area while the rescue teams shifted the injured to Civil Hospital and Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) Hospital where an emergency had been imposed.

Bomb disposal squad officers said an estimated 10 to 15 kg of explosives were used in the bomb.

Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Durrani said the blast was still being investigated.

Government spokesman Anwar Kakar said the attack killed six civilians and two members of the security forces.

The policemen were posted outside the centre to accompany polio workers on the third day of a vaccination campaign, which are frequently targeted by Taliban and other militant groups in Pakistan. “We will continue our action against militants under National Action Plan (NAP)”, he said.

Younis Baloch, deputy mayor of Qeutta, said he was personally going to the location of the blast.

The spokesman said that the attack could be a reaction to operations against terrorists.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the terror attack and directed authorities to help those injured and hunt down those responsible.