Turkey condemns 'heinous terrorist act' in Pakistan

By Fatma Bulbul

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the terror attack in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province that left several policemen dead on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the ministry said: "We condemn this heinous terrorist act and wish Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded while conveying our condolences to the government and brotherly people of Pakistan."

Wednesday's bomb attack targeted a truck carrying policemen on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, provincial home minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti told reporters.

An hour after the bomb blast, another police officer was killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen in a busy locality of Quetta.

The large Balochistan province, which is also considered to cover parts of neighboring Iran and Afghanistan, is strategically important because of the rich presence of copper, zinc and natural gas.

It has been beset by violence for over six decades, with separatists claiming it was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan upon the end of the British rule in 1947.

Various sectarian outfits, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, have also been active in the region, especially in Quetta, for the last decade.