Eight people injured in Quetta market blast

The blast occurred near the Fire Brigade office and vegetable market at Mezan Chowk

QUETTA: At least eight people, including two children, were wounded when a vehicle based improvised explosive device (VBIED) exploded near the vegetable market at Mezan Chowk in Quetta, on Thursday evening.

According to police, an IED planted in a motorbike had been parked near the Fire Brigade Office at Mezan Chowk by unknown men.

“The people were busy in shopping when blast occurred near Malang Hotel close to vegetable marketat Mezan chowk,” police said.

Shortly after the explosion, rescue workers and security officials rushed to the site.

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), as much as one kilogramme of explosives were used in the blast. “The explosives were packed inside a metal pipe and fitted to a motorbike,” a BDS official told The Express Tribune. “A timed device was used to detonate it.”

The injured were transported to Provincial Sandeman Hospital for treatment.

“At least eight injured, including two children, were brought to hospital,” medics at hospital told The Express Tribune. Medics said that though multiple wounds were inflicted on the victims, but their lives were out of danger.

The explosion also damaged a car, two motorbikes and a rickshaw. “The people were passing by the blast site were caught in its wake,” police added.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing.