Five killed, 17 injured in Quetta blast

Islamabad, June 12 (UNI) A bomb explosion in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province today killed five people and injured 17, some of them seriously.

Police officials told reporters the blast occurred in a hotel in the provincial capital of Quetta. The bomb disposal squad was examining specimen collected from the site which also damaged nearby fruit and vegetables shops, the officials added.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Balochistan has been in the grip of renewed violence since last December when government announced to explore new oil and gas reserves from the Kohlu district, some 500 km east of Quetta.

The Baloch nationalists accuse the center of exploring mineral resources in the province without passing on the benefits to the people there.

The federal government, on the other hand, accuses local tribal chiefs including Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti for the deteriorating law and order situation and making people of the province their hostage by laying landmines in different areas and attacking sensitive installations. The rebels have frequently attacked gas facilities, blowing up pipelines, as well as security checkpoints and other government targets.

The govenment has also outlawed the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which it claims has been involved in acts of terror in the province.

UNI XC PR HT1440