Two security personnel injured in Quetta blast

At least two security personnel were injured in a roadside bomb that targeted their vehicle on Quetta's Sariab Road on Monday.

According to security sources, personnel on routine patrol were targetted with an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a parked motorbike near the Wali Jet area of the provincial capital. After the blast, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.

Meanwhile, a team of bomb disposal squad also reached the site to collect evidence and investigate the incident.

The blast came days after over a dozen terrorists stormed security installations in Noushki and Panjgur, Balochistan. As per the military's media wing, at least 20 assailants were killed while nine soldiers were also martyred in the attacks.

At least 20 soldiers were martyred in attacks on security check posts and clashes with terrorists in several parts of the province, a key route of the multibillion-dollar CPEC in the past week alone, in a clear indication of the return of otherwise dwindling violence.

The martyrdom of 10 army troops in an attack on a security checkpoint in the Kech area near Iran’s border on Jan 28 was the deadliest incident in months.

(With additional input from Anadolu Agency)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2022.