Last Updated: February 26, 2023, 14:06 IST
An army vehicle patrols past police officers stand guard along a road, near cantonment area in Bannu, Pakistan. (Image: REUTERS/Zahid Muhammad)
Police have arrived at the site and cordoned it off while the injured persons have been shifted to Rakhni Hospital
At least four people were killed and 14 others were injured after a blast inside a market in Balochistan’s Barkhan on Sunday.
Barkhan Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Khoso said the blast, reported in the Rakhni Bazaar area, occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED), planted on a motorcycle, exploded, according to Dawn.
Police have arrived at the site and cordoned it off while the injured persons have been shifted to Rakhni Hospital.
Videos on social media showed volunteers carrying bloodied victims away as a crowd gathers at the purported site of the blast, the report added.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a report of the incident from Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and the inspector-general of police.
Mangled motorcycles and charred vegetables can be seen strewn about on the road.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has condemned the blast and directed the authorities to take all possible steps to arrest the culprits.
“Those who shed the blood of innocent people are enemies of humanity,” he said.
“Terrorists are creating uncertainty to achieve their evil goals. But we won’t allow anti-state elements to succeed,” the minister stated, promising that the government would adopt an effective counter-terrorism strategy.
Bizenjo also directed officials to provide the best medical care to injured people and prayed for the high ranks of the deceased.
The Balochistan province has experienced a surge in violent incidents in recent months, including bombings and targeted attacks, leading to heightened security measures and public safety concerns.
(With inputs from PTI)
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