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11 Killed in Quetta Car Bombing

11 Killed in Quetta Car Bombing
11 Killed in Quetta Car Bombing

A suicide car bomber killed at least 11 people, including four police officers, in an attack near a checkpoint in the volatile southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Friday, officials said.

Abdul Razzaq Cheema, director general of police in Balochistan Province, said it appeared the bomber had detonated a car packed with explosives, Reuters reported.

“At least 11 bodies were taken to hospital, along with 19 wounded,” said Wasim Baig, a spokesman for the Civil Hospital in Quetta.

“Four of those killed were police officers, while nine security officials were among the wounded,” said Fareed Sumalan, a doctor at the Civil Hospital.

Jamaat ur Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed the attack in a message sent to Reuters by spokesman Asad Mansur.

Baluchistan government spokesman Anwar ul Haq Kakar said the blast happened near the office of the inspector general of police when officers stopped the car to search it near a checkpoint.

“It’s possible the IG office was the target, or the assailants were trying to enter the (army) cantonment which is close by,” he said.

Television footage showed emergency services rushing to the scene, which was covered in debris, while security officials cordoned off the area.

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