Nine hurt in bomb blast in Pakistan restive southwest

QUETTA, Pakistan, June 9 (Reuters) Nine people were wounded, five of them seriously, when a bomb exploded in a roadside restaurant in Pakistan's restive Baluchistan province today, police said.

The incident took place in Hub, a town west of Karachi and lies just on the periphery of Baluchistan.

''It is done by those who have been carrying out such terrorist activities all over Baluchistan,'' said Ishaq Lasi, a local police official, referring to Baluch militants fighting for more autonomy and control over the natural resources of the province.

Last month, nine people, including four policemen, were wounded when a bomb strapped to a bicycle exploded in the town.

Baluchistan, which borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has Pakistan's largest gas and oil reserves. Militants resent its resources being used to benefit other regions.

The simmering revolt escalated in December when rebels fired rockets during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf to the town of Kohlu.

Musharraf has announced plans for major infrastructure projects in Baluchistan to win back support, but has vowed to deal strictly with the rebels.

REUTERS SHR KN1950