Twelve injured in blast near Pakistan hospital

Islamabad, Aug 11: Twelve people were injured on Thursday in a roadside blast near a hospital in Pakistan's Quetta city, police said.

"Balochistan Federal Shariat Court Judge Zahoor Shawani was the target in the attack," the Nation daily quoted Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti as saying.

Civilians and security officials were injured in the attack that took place near Al Khair Hospital in Zarghon road.

The explosion comes just after a suicide bombing at the emergency ward of Quetta's Civil Hospital on Monday that killed over 70 people, mostly lawyers and journalists.

The bomb was planted along the side of the road and exploded as the Anti Terrorism Force's (ATF) vehicle passed by.

"This is a busy road and the terrorists take advantage of this, planting bombs and fleeing on motorcycles," Dawn online quoted Bugti as saying.

"These blasts are aimed at sabotaging Independence Day (August 14) activities in Balochistan. I believe these cowardly acts will not bring down our morale. We are in a conflict zone and we will fight with renewed resolve," the Home Minister said.

Bugti added that three to four kilograms of explosive material was used in the blast.

A combing operation is ongoing throughout Quetta following Monday's blast.

Another National Action Plan meeting has been by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday to discuss the security conditions of Quetta. The meeting will be attended by Chief of Pakistan Army Raheel Shareef, Interior Minister Chaudary Nisar and other senior police and security officials, the Nation daily added.

IANS