Quetta (Web Desk/Agencies): At least nine security personnel were martyred and 13 others were injured in an explosion near a truck of the Balochistan Constabulary in Bolan area, said a police spokesman on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Kachi Mohammad Notezai while confirming the incident, said that the blast occurred on the Kambri bridge, an area bordering with the Sibi and Kachhi districts.
"Preliminary evidence suggested that the explosion was a suicide attack", the police officer said adding that the exact nature of the attack was yet to be ascertained after a complete investigation into the blast.
Soon after the explosion, the district administration reached the spot and shifted the victims to the nearby hospital.
Personnel of law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for the arrest of the culprits.
Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack and expressed grief at the number of casualties.
In a statement, he said that terrorist elements wanted to accomplish their wicked aims through cowardly actions, adding that they were conspiring to keep Balochistan under-developed by creating unrest and instability in the province.
“All such conspiracies will be made unsuccessful with the public’s support,” Bizenjo said.
The Balochistan CM conveyed his sympathies to the families of the martyred, asserting that they were national heroes.
“The sacrifices of the martyred will not go to waste,” he promised.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the suicide attack on the personnel of the Balochistan Constabulary in Sibbi that led to their martyrdom.
He said that the nation paid tribute to the valour of its martyred troops.
Shehbaz Sharif prayed to Allah Almighty to grant elevated ranks to the souls of martyrs in heaven and to grant of patience to their families.
He said terrorism in Balochistan was part of a nefarious design to create instability in the country.
The prime minister expressed his resolve to free the country from the menace of terrorism.