At least nine personnel of the Balochistan Constabulary (BC) were martyred and 13 were wounded in a bomb attack in Bolan on Monday, police said.
Kachhi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mahmood Notezai confirmed the casualties.
“The constabulary van was on its way back to Quetta from Sibi when an explosion occurred on the Kambri bridge in the area bordering the Sibi and Kachhi districts,” he said.
According to the official, a motorcyclist — believed to be a suicide bomber — rammed his vehicle into the police van. However, he said the exact nature of the attack will be ascertained after investigation.
SSP Notezai said the injured persons have been moved to the Sibi Civil Hospital, while bomb disposal squads and security personnel have arrived at the site.
The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway, he added.
A government helicopter has been sent to Bolan to move the injured persons to Quetta, a statement issued by the Balochistan Information Department said.
An emergency has also been imposed at hospitals across Quetta.
The Balochistan Constabulary (BC) is a department of the provincial police force that provides security at important events and in sensitive areas, including jails.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blast comes on the heels of attacks in KP and areas bordering Afghanistan. Since the talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down in November last year, the militant group has intensified its attacks while insurgents in Balochistan have also stepped up their violent activities and formalised a nexus with it.
