Blast kills 2 in southwestern Pakistan

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Two people were killed and 11 others injured on Monday when a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded in southwestern Pakistan, local newspaper Dawn reported, citing officials.

Local Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Khosa told Dawn that an explosive device hidden on a motorcycle parked in a market in the Barkhan district of Balochistan province exploded, killing two people and injuring 11 others.

Four of the injured are in serious condition and have been immediately transported to a hospital, Khosa said, noting that the blast also damaged nearby shops, buildings, and a car.

Following the explosion, an emergency was declared in all Barkhan hospitals. Police and security personnel arrived on the scene to launch an investigation into the incident.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search for the suspects.

A similar attack took place in March in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, where an improvised explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated remotely after being parked next to a car, killing four people and injuring five others.

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