At least six people were martyred and three others injured in an explosion in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday, police said.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rafiq Hamza, the explosion occurred at an orchard in Khad Kocha.
Police said the bodies of those martyred were shifted to Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Hospital, while the injured were also transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
A bomb disposal unit has been called to the site to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.
Following the incident, law enforcement personnel reached the area and cordoned off the site as an investigation into the blast got underway.
Earlier, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau remained safe after his convoy came under attack in the Kanda Umarani area of Mastung while travelling from Kalat to Quetta, officials said.
According to officials, armed attackers opened fire on the minister’s security convoy. The minister remained unharmed, while three guards including Nasrullah, Samiullah and Zakariya were injured in the exchange of fire.
The injured personnel were initially shifted to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Hospital in Mastung and later transferred to Quetta for further treatment.
Reacting to the incident, Mir Ziaullah Langau said such cowardly attacks would not weaken his resolve. He said he could not be intimidated by “firecrackers” and vowed that such attacks could not diminish his determination or love for Pakistan.
“Pakistan was, is and will always remain Zindabad” the Balochistan Home Minister said.
The attack came after security forces killed 19 Fitna al Hindustan during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) as Operation Rad-ul-Fitna 3 continues in different areas of Balochistan.
According to details, an IBO was conducted in Rodenjo Cross, Kalat, following credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists. Five Fitna al Hindustan terrorists travelling in a vehicle were engaged and killed.
In another operation in Kunaro, Khuzdar, security forces engaged terrorists in a firefight, resulting in the killing of four more Fitna al Hindustan.
Meanwhile, an IBO was conducted in Surab based on credible intelligence. According to initial information, 10 more terrorists were gunned during the operation, bringing the total killed terrorists to 19.
The security forces’ hunt for remaining terrorists continues.
Also read: Security forces eliminate 12 Fitna Al Hindustan terrorists during IBO in Balochistan