One policeman martyred, over 15 injured in explosion on Quetta’s Baleli Custom

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 06 Jan 2023

At least one policeman embraced martyrdom and over 15 police officials were injured in an explosion near Baleli Custom on Wednesday morning.

The attacker targeted a police truck.

According to initial reports, the police are yet to determine whether the explosives were planted on the roadside or the suicide bomber was sitting inside the tri-wheeler rickshaw that rammed into the vehicle.

Heavy contingents of the police and paramilitary Rangers rushed to the site and cordoned it off. The bomb disposal squad (BDS) was called in as well.

While speaking to the media, Quetta DIG Azfar Mehsar said that the police personnel was en route to their duties of security for polio workers, when a rickshaw rammed into the police vehicle which consequently plunged into a ditch.

DIG also said that they have recovered a body near the blast site, which according to him, is of the suicide bomber.

Subsequently, a policeman succumbed while at least 20 were injured. The injured toll also includes four civilians.

He added that around 20 to 25 kilograms of explosive material were expected to be used. The threat continues to prevail on his team, he said.

Evidence is being collected from the crime site, while further investigations are underway.

The casualties were rushed to the Civil Hospital for treatment.