QUETTA: Security forces foiled a potentially massive terrorist attack by intercepting an explosive-laden vehicle in Giddir area of Kalat district on Wednesday.

A would-be suicide bomber detonated the explosives he was wearing, killing himself and two accomplices and blowing up the vehicle. Three security personnel were injured.

According to official sources, personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC) and an intelligence agency, on a tip-off about the entry of an explosive-laden pick-up in Giddir area, launched a search operation. They spotted a suspected vehicle carrying three persons and tried to stop it.

“But the driver sped up the pick-up which was chased by security forces. In the meantime, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives in an act of desperation,” an FC spokesman said. “The pick-up was smashed into pieces and its three occupants were killed. Three paramilitary soldiers were injured in the blast that rocked a vast area.”

“The terrorists apparently belonged to a banned militant organisation,” official sources said.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2016