The provincial capital Quetta was once again rocked by terror as a powerful explosion occurred near the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters in Model Town.
According to rescue officials, at least 5 people were killed and 19 others injured in the incident. The injured have been shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta, where some are said to be in critical condition.
Panic spread across the area immediately after the blast, while gunfire was also heard in the aftermath. The explosion shattered windows of nearby buildings and badly damaged a motorcycle, a rickshaw, and several vehicles parked in the vicinity.
Rescue teams and a large contingent of police rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area. A bomb disposal squad was also called in to determine the nature of the blast and the type of explosives used.Police officials said that details would be shared with the media once initial investigations are completed.
Meanwhile, an emergency has been declared at Civil Hospital Quetta, and doctors were called in on urgent duty.Residents reported that the sound of the explosion was heard several kilometers away, while plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the site. Panic-stricken citizens rushed towards hospitals and the blast site to locate their relatives.
So far, no official statement has been released regarding the nature of the blast or the intended target, but police and law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation.
