QUETTA: A province-wide strike was observed in Balochistan to mark the sixth death anniversary of the late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on Sunday, DawnNews reported.

Markets and shops were shut and vehicular traffic remained sparse on the roads.

According to DawnNews correspondent Syed Ali Shah, a complete shutter-down strike was observed in Quetta, the provincial capital. Heavy contingents of Frontier Constabulary (FC) and police were deployed throughout the city as security measures.

Meanwhile, Khuzdar, Mastung, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Kharan, Gwadar, Turbat and other Baloch majority areas also witnessed complete shutter down strikes.

The Jamhoori Watan Party (Aali group) and the Baloch Republican Party had announced a strike and called for protest demonstrations in several parts of the province. The Balochistan National Party - Mengal (BNP-M) and the National Party had also announced their support for the strike.

The provincial government had imposed a ban on pillion riding throughout the province keeping in view the law and order situation.

The previous night, Quetta witnessed at least four bomb blasts in different areas of the city. Three of the explosions appeared to target houses while one was planted on a railway track. At least seven people were injured as a result of the explosions.

The veteran Baloch nationalist leader and former Chief Minister of Balochistan was killed, along with 37 armed tribals, in a military operation in Chalgri area of Bhamboor hills of Dera Bugti district on August 26th 2006.