Balochistan education adviser survives explosion in Quetta

Two persons injured in the timed device explosion, Barrech reportedly not the target of attack

QUETTA: Adviser to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Education Raza Muhammad Barrech on Tuesday narrowly survived a remotely controlled explosion near Joint Road of Quetta.

The driver sustained minor injuries in the explosion.

“Unknown persons planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the road near an open playing ground. They detonated the IED through a remote controlled device when Barrech's vehicle passed by,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-Operations) Aetizaz Goraya told The Express Tribune.



PHOTO: NASEEM JAMES

The adviser who belongs to Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP), which is the coalition partner of Balochistan government and a close ally of PML-N, was targeted soon after leaving his house.

As a result of explosion, the vehicle was partially damaged and his driver sustained minor injuries.

“No loss of life was reported in the blast,” the police officer added.

Police and security forces rushed to the scene soon after the explosion and cordoned off the area. “The adviser received minor scars on his hand as the windowpanes of his vehicle were smashed due to the impact of the blast,” the SSP said.

"The target of the IED was the adviser," police said as investigations are underway.



PHOTO: NASEEM JAMES

There have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.

Most of the ministers and MPAs have bulletproof cars due to the increasing bombings in the province.