Quetta : A suicide bomber attacked Pakistani troops near a government building in the southwestern city of Quetta on Wednesday, killing at least 19 people, including several soldiers, officials said.
Quetta is known to harbor al-Qaida and Taliban militants and targets within the city have been frequently attacked over the last four years.
Police officer Hamid Shakil said the bomber in Wednesday's attack targeted a group of soldiers standing outside a government building in the city.
City commissioner Quetta Nasim Lehri said there were soldiers among those killed but gave no specific figure.
On Monday, Pakistan's spy agency said three top al-Qaida suspects had been detained in Quetta in an operation that was assisted by the CIA. Wednesday's bombing targeted the Frontier Corps, which Pakistani officials said took part in that operation.
Islamist militants are waging a bloody war against the Western-allied Pakistani state, and have relentlessly attacked government, police, army and civilian targets since 2007 when the violence began in earnest. Many thousands have been killed, and Pakistani authorities have struggled to counter the threat.
Quetta is known to harbor al-Qaida and Taliban militants and targets within the city have been frequently attacked over the last four years.
Police officer Hamid Shakil said the bomber in Wednesday's attack targeted a group of soldiers standing outside a government building in the city.
City commissioner Quetta Nasim Lehri said there were soldiers among those killed but gave no specific figure.
Islamist militants are waging a bloody war against the Western-allied Pakistani state, and have relentlessly attacked government, police, army and civilian targets since 2007 when the violence began in earnest. Many thousands have been killed, and Pakistani authorities have struggled to counter the threat.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Ex Senator Among 5 Killed In Blast Near Afghan Border In Pakistan Pakistan To Pay Millions To Compensate For 5 Chinese Killed In Suicide Bombing Suicide Bombing That Killed 5 Chinese Planned In Afghanistan, Says Pakistan Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP West Bengal Forms Seven-Member Panel To Review New Criminal Laws US Military Declares End Of Troubled Gaza Aid Pier Mission What Is PM SHRI? Which States Resisted Centres Showcase Schools Scheme Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.