Pasni blast targets school van

At least ten people, including five school boys and two Coast Guards personnel were injured in the blast.

QUETTA: At least ten people, including five school boys and two Coast Guards personnel, were injured in a remote-controlled blast in the coastal township of Pasni on Tuesday.

According to reports, unidentified people planted a remote control device in Ward No 6 area of Pasni and detonated it when a Pakistan Coast Guards school van passed by. As a result, the van crashed into a nearby residence. The roof of the house collapsed, injuring three people inside. Meanwhile, the children and Coast Guards personnel, including the van driver, suffered splinter injuries.

The police rushed to the spot after the incident and cordoned off the area. The injured were taken to a government-run hospital for treatment. Three of the injured are stated to be in critical condition.

A case has been registered in Pasni Police Station and investigations launched.

“Their target was Pakistan Coast Guard van,” a senior police officer said. “Police have launched a manhunt in the area.”

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani strongly condemned the attack and asked the authorities concerned to arrest the culprits.

“Those who target innocent children should not be called human beings,” said Raisani.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2010.