Suicide attack targeting IGP office in Quetta claims 12 lives

Key government offices are located in the area where the explosion took place, sources said.

Islamabad, June 23: At least twelve people were killed and 20 others injured on Friday in the explosion near IGP office in Quetta, Pakistan. Police cordon off an area and injured have been shifted to hospital, reports Pakistan media.

The injured were moved to Quetta's Civil Hospital, while a rescue operation is still underway.

Twelve people have died and at least 20 others are injured," Fareed Ahmed, medical superintendent at Civil Hospital told AFP, saying the death toll had increased from five earlier in the morning.

According to the sources, key government offices are located in the area where the explosion took place. However, police are yet to assertain the nature of the explosion.

Quetta,the capital of Baluchistan is at the centre of Chinese-backed "Belt and Road" development projects worth $57 billion that first focused on Chinese firms building roads and power stations but is now expanding to include setting up industries.

Television footage showed emergency services rushing to the area which was covered in debris and security officials cordoning off the area.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)