3 police officers killed in blast in southwestern Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD - Three police officers were killed and at least 16 others wounded in a roadside blast Tuesday in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, according to the police.

The attack targeted a police vehicle in the Shamsabad area of Mastung district as it was returning from Kalat, a police official at the emergency control room told Anadolu by phone.

All injured officers, including personnel from the Balochistan Constabulary, were taken to a local hospital. Police have launched a search operation in the area.

No group has claimed responsibility. However, similar attacks have previously been carried out by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army.

Last month, eight people were killed in attacks in Mastung and Gwadar.

The resource-rich province has seen a long-running insurgency, with the BLA staging renewed attacks in recent months.

Last month, BLA militants hijacked a passenger train in the Bolan region, killing 31 people, including five paramilitary troops. Authorities said 33 suspected attackers were killed during a day-long security operation.

Separatist groups have been fighting for the "liberation" of Balochistan, which they claim was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan in 1947 after British colonial rule ended.