12 FC soldiers injured in Quetta explosion

Two attackers killed in gunbattle, while third manages to blow himself up

QUETTA: At least 12 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were injured in a suicide attack on a check post in the Baleli area on the outskirts of the provincial capital on Tuesday night, said security officials.

“Out of nowhere, three armed men attacked the check post with automatic weapons. The FC personnel took position and returned fire,” said the officials.

Two armed attackers were killed in the heavy exchange of fire that lasted half an hour. However, the third attacker, wearing a suicide jacket, reached near the check post and blew himself up, injuring 12 security personnel.



Heavy contingent of FC and police rushed to the site, cordoned off the area and shifted the injured to the Combined Military Hospital, Quetta.

“Twelve soldiers were injured in the suicide bombing near the check post,” said a security official, adding that the condition of two soldiers was serious.

He said in the gunbattle security forces killed two terrorists, who were heavily armed with hand grenades and automatic weapons.
Along with the FC check post, many vehicles parked nearby were damaged in the suicide hit, which also shattered the windowpanes of many surrounding buildings.



The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) rushed to the site and collected evidence.

“Around 10kg of explosive material was used in the suicide jacket,” said BDS Director General Aslam Tareen.

There has been no let-up in the terrorist attacks in Quetta since the advent of the New Year as on Monday at least seven people, including three security personnel, were injured in two back-to-back blasts in Chaman along the Pak-Afghan border.