QUETTA: An alleged suicide bomber blew himself up in Balochistan's Sibi town on Thursday evening, police said whereas two women were killed in a gunfiring incident in Loralai area of the province. Unknown militants also blew up train tracks in Balochistan's Naseerabad district earlier during the day disrupting railway traffic between the province and other parts of the country.
Deputy Superintendent Police Ali Nawaz said the suicide bomber, who blew himself up, wanted to enter into the Sibi festival hall.
He said the bomber missed the target and detonated the explosives away from the main of gate.
A large number of men and women were present in the festival hall when he blew himself up.
Nawaz said fortunately all policemen and civilians were safe as the bomber missed the target.
"The strength of blast blew body pieces of suicide bomber into the air", he added.
Women shot dead in Loralai
Two women were killed and another injured in a firing incident in Balochistan's Loralai town on Thursday, police said.
Muhammad Zafar, a police officer told Dawn.com that two armed men on a motorcycle opened an indiscriminate fire on women in Loralai bazar.
He said two women were killed on the spot whereas the assailants drove off the scene after carrying out the attack.
The injured woman was rushed to Loralai hospital for treatment.
Locals said that the women night have been targeted for their alleged involvement in immoral activities. Security and rescue teams reached the spot.
Shops and markets in the locality shut down after the incident as panic prevailed among the people.
The incident follows the stoning of a couple in the same area on Feb 15 after a cleric issued a fatwa against them on suspicion of having illicit relations.
Railway tracks blown up
Railway tracks were damaged as a result of a powerful explosion in Balochistan's insurgency-hit Naseerabad district on Thursday disrupting the train services between the province and other parts of the country whereas two women were shot dead in Loralai area, police said.
Muhammad Hashim, a police official told Dawn.com that militants had planted explosive materials close to the railway track in Mangoli area of Naseerabad district.
"Explosives were detonated and three feet railway track was damaged", he said adding that, "Loud and powerful explosion was heard far and wide."
Railway service between Balochistan and other parts of the country was suspended as result of powerful blast.
The police official further said there was no human loss since the explosives were detonated at a deserted spot aimed at damaging the railway track only.
Police and personnel of frontier corps (FC) reached the spot and cordoned off the area as an investigation into the incident went underway.
Hashim also said the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express coming from Rawilpindi was stopped at Dera Allah Yar after the blast. He further said technical staff of railway was soon called to ensure immediate repair of railway track.
There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.
However, another police officer who requested not to be named told Dawn.com that suspected Baloch militants operating in the area were behind the blast.
Militants have been targeting vital national installations including gas pipe lines, power pylons and railway tracks in the area for last more than seven years.
