Bomb Blast in Southwestern Pakistan... Over 20 Casualties Reported

A bomb attack occurred near a university in Quetta, Pakistan on the 30th.
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] A bomb attack near a university in the conflict-ridden southwestern region of Pakistan has resulted in more than 20 casualties, according to local media including Dawn on the 31st.

According to reports, at around 9:40 PM the previous day, an improvised explosive device detonated near the main gate of the Science University in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.

The explosion killed four people, including students returning from a religious conference at the university and members of the Islamic faction 'Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam,' and injured 16 others, local police said.

The blast damaged several vehicles and shattered building windows. Police believe that a remotely controlled explosive device weighing more than 1.5 kg was pre-installed and detonated.

However, no group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Balochistan and its surrounding areas, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, are frequent sites of activity by separatist armed groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Islamic extremist organizations.

In June last year, insurgents attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi, killing six people. Previously, in April 2019, insurgents stopped a bus traveling from Karachi to Gwadar and killed 14 passengers, and in May, they attacked a five-star hotel in Gwadar.

They have consistently claimed that the Pakistani government and foreign entities exploit the region's resources. Gwadar in this area is also a site where China is investing large-scale capital for development.

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