ISTANBUL 

Four Pakistani security personnel were killed and three others injured Friday in a powerful explosion near a bomb disposal squad in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced on X. 

According to security sources cited by Dawn, the blast occurred close to a bomb disposal team, prompting a swift response from security forces and rescue teams who transported the casualties to a nearby hospital. 

The deceased were identified as Subedar Shehzad Amin, Naib Subedar Abbas, Sepoy Khaleel, and Sepoy Zahid. The injured were named Lance Naik Zafar, Lance Naik Farooq, and Sepoy Khurram Saleem.

Authorities cordoned off the area and launched an investigation and search operation to locate the perpetrators. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Interior Minister Naqvi strongly condemned the blast, expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and extending condolences to the bereaved families. 

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has experienced frequent insurgent violence and armed attacks, often targeting security forces.