Taliban claim Quetta bomb attack, 13 killed
Bomb planted in an auto-rickshaw blew up as a security convoy passed by, 16 injured.
The mangled wreckage of a security forces vehicle is seen following a bomb explosion on the outskirts of Quetta on May 23, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
QUETTA/PESHAWAR:
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility on Thursday for a bomb that killed 11 security personnel and two civilians in Quetta.
Sixteen people were wounded in the attack, and the death toll could rise, police said. The bomb was planted in a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw and blew up as a truck carrying the security men passed by.
"We proudly claim responsibility for Thursday's blast in Quetta and the target was local police. The Balochistan police recently arrested and killed some of our colleagues belonging to the Swat Taliban," said Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan.
Swat is a region in northwest Pakistan that the militants have tried to control for years.
It was the second major attack since the May 11 general election which marked the first transition between civilian governments in Pakistan's turbulent history after a campaign marred by violence.
Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif has called for talks with the Taliban in a bid to end rising militancy, but the spokesperson said it was too early to react.
"We are waiting for him to form his government and see what type of policies he formulates towards us," the spokesperson said.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility on Thursday for a bomb that killed 11 security personnel and two civilians in Quetta.
Sixteen people were wounded in the attack, and the death toll could rise, police said. The bomb was planted in a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw and blew up as a truck carrying the security men passed by.
"We proudly claim responsibility for Thursday's blast in Quetta and the target was local police. The Balochistan police recently arrested and killed some of our colleagues belonging to the Swat Taliban," said Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan.
Swat is a region in northwest Pakistan that the militants have tried to control for years.
It was the second major attack since the May 11 general election which marked the first transition between civilian governments in Pakistan's turbulent history after a campaign marred by violence.
Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif has called for talks with the Taliban in a bid to end rising militancy, but the spokesperson said it was too early to react.
"We are waiting for him to form his government and see what type of policies he formulates towards us," the spokesperson said.