Injured person being shifted to a hospital after a car-bomb blast in Quetta on Friday. – Photo by APP

QUETTA: A powerful bomb blast, near the house of a former federal minister Naseer Mengal, followed by aerial firing killed at least thirteen and injured more than 20 on Friday, DawnNews reported.

Police has said that it was a car bomb blast.

Mengal had served as oil minister during the tenure of former President Pervez Musharraf.

Police cordoned off the blast site on Arbab Akram Khan Road and the injured were taken to the Civil Hospital Quetta.

According to eye witnesses, glasses of nearby buildings were broken and the area was plunged into darkness immediately after the blast.

The shockwave of the blast was felt from long distances and nearby shops were also damaged.

The fire also broke out after the blast which swathed many nearby houses and shops.

Firefighters reached the site and were busy trying to extinguish it.

Ambulances and paramedic staff were busy shifting injured to hospitals.

The surrounding province of Balochistan has experienced a violent insurgency for decades by nationalists who demand more autonomy and a greater share of the province's natural resources.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has demanded a complete inquiry report of the incident.

Opinion

Editorial

Stalled talks
Updated 25 Jan, 2025

Stalled talks

It would have been wiser for PTI to not react to the provocation. However bitter their differences, both parties need something from each other.
Bureaucratic approach
25 Jan, 2025

Bureaucratic approach

WHEN bureaucrats fancy themselves as scholars, universities suffer. It’s a pity this is a lesson the Sindh...
West Bank’s turn
Updated 25 Jan, 2025

West Bank’s turn

It is highly likely that Israel will try and annex the West Bank, with the Trump admin egging it on.
Digital dragnet
24 Jan, 2025

Digital dragnet

The Pakistani state must stop inflicting wounds on itself and learn to resolve its internal issues through social and political means.
USC closure
24 Jan, 2025

USC closure

THE PML-N government seems to have finally firmed up its mind on the future of the Utility Stores. The cabinet has...
Hindu exodus
Updated 24 Jan, 2025

Hindu exodus

The state cannot absolve itself of the responsibility to protect Hindu citizens, and assure them of safety.