Roadside blast in Mastung injures four policemen

QUETTA: Four policemen suffered minor injuries when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in the Dasht area of Mastung district on Saturday, while other security-related and accidental incidents were also reported from different parts of Balochistan, according to police.

Police said unidentified attackers had planted the explosive device along Mian Ghandi Link Road near Pir Wali. The blast took place when a police vehicle carrying prisoners from Dasht court to Mastung jail passed through the area. The vehicle was partially damaged in the explosion.

SHO Dasht Akhtar Muhammad confirmed that four police personnel were injured. According to him, the wounded officers received first aid at the scene and were in stable condition and out of danger. After the blast, heavy contingents of security forces reached the area, sealed off the site and began a search operation.

Explosion in Khanuzai area

In a separate incident, three people were seriously injured when explosive material they were transporting on a motorcycle went off accidentally in the Zargona area near Khanuzai, police said.

Police identified the injured as Zahoor, Faisal and Muhammad Afzal. According to police, they were riding a motorcycle carrying blasting material obtained from a local site when it suddenly exploded. The three men were given initial treatment before being referred to Quetta in critical condition for further medical care.

Family attacked after entering remote area

Another incident reported by police involved a family travelling from Quetta to Karachi. Police said Ali Jamil was driving late at night with his wife and two young daughters when, after being misdirected by Google Maps, the family entered the remote Khand area of Dasht.

According to police, armed men signalled the vehicle to stop, and opened fire when the driver did not comply. Ali Jamil was killed at the scene, while his wife sustained serious injuries. The couple’s two daughters were unharmed. Police said officers reached the location after receiving information, recovered the body and the injured woman, and shifted them to a nearby hospital.

Police have started an investigation into the attack and said efforts are under way to arrest those responsible.

Commissioner’s vehicle overturns

Separately, the driver and security guard of Loralai Commissioner Wali Muhammad Barich were injured when his official vehicle overturned on Musa Khail Road near Kashpan, according to police.

Police said the commissioner was travelling to Loralai with the two officials when the vehicle went out of control بسبب high speed and overturned. Commissioner Barich remained unharmed. Police and rescue teams shifted the injured driver and guard to the Teaching Hospital for treatment.