QUETTA - Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when his convoy came under attack in Dera Bugti.
The provincial minister was on an official visit to his hometown when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Baker tehsil of Dera Bugti. However, no casualties were reported in the blast, Levies officials said.
Security officials further said the bomb was remotely controlled and a search operation has been initiated in the area.
The bomb exploded moments after Bugti’s vehicle crossed the site. One vehicle in the convoy was partially damaged as a result of the explosion.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack but officials suspected Baloch separatists might be responsible for it.
Dera Bugti and Kohlu are considered to be among the most sensitive districts of Balochistan. Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and pro-government figures for years in the area.
3 EXTREMISTS KILLED IN AWARAN
Three extremists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces and weapons were recovered. Spokesman of Frontier Corps (FC) said that on an intelligence tip-off regarding presence of outlaws, the paramilitary force conducted operation in district Awaran of Balochistan. An exchange of fire took place between the militants and FC which continued for more than half an hour in which three extremists were killed. Heavy, automated weapons were recovered from the possession of the extremists killed in the operation.