At least one person was killed and seven injured when an explosive device detonated outside a shopping mall in Balochistan’s Awaran district on Saturday, police said.
Ali Akbar, Awaran police station official, told Dawn.com that early investigations indicated that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) caused the blast.
He added that the injured, including women and children, were taken to the district headquarters hospital.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, in a statement issued immediately after the blast, condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the deceased.
He ordered the authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
“Cowardly terrorists targeted innocent children and other citizens including women. The people of Balochistan look at these perpetrators with hatred,” Bizenjo said, adding that the terrorists who “create an atmosphere of terror” are enemies of the province.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser on Home Mir Ziaullah Langove ordered the authorities to speed up rescue work at the blast site.
“Attack on innocent citizens is the most cowardly act and no religion in the world allows it,” he said, adding that the entire nation is united to eradicate terrorism from all parts of the country.