QUETTA: At least five people were killed and 14 wounded in result of an explosion inside Rakhni market in Balochistan’s Barkhan, police and health officials said. Barkhan District Health Officer Dr Abdul Hameed confirmed death toll, adding that injured persons had been moved to Rakhni Hospital.

According to Deputy Commissioner Barkhan Abdullah Khoso blast occurred when an improvised explosive device planted on motorcycle, exploded.

Khoso said police have arrived at site and cordoned it off. “Teams have begun collecting evidence from site,” he added. Unverified videos making rounds on social media show volunteers carrying bloodied victims away as crowd gathers at purported site of blast. Mangled motorcycles and charred vegetables can be seen strewn about on road.

There was no claim of responsibility as yet. Blast comes on heels of attacks in KP and areas bordering Afghanistan. Since talks with outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan broke down in November last year, militant group has intensified its attacks while insurgents in Balochistan have also stepped up their violent activities and formalised nexus with it.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 27 2023

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