Thaindian News

Islamabad, Dec 30 (IANS) At least 13 people were killed and 21 injured Friday evening in a powerful car bombing in Pakistan’s Quetta city, media reports said.

The blast took place on Arbab Karam Khan Road near Raisani Chowk, Geo News reported.

The Balochistan Liberation Army has taken responsibility for the bombing.

While Dawn News put the toll at 13, Geo News said 10 people were killed.

The explosion in the capital city of Balochistan province occurred outside the house of the son of former federal minister Naseer Mengal.

Mengal had served as oil minister during the tenure of former president Pervez Musharraf.

Police and a bomb disposal squad said an explosive device of around 50 kg was planted in a car parked near the house.

A gun-battle between militants and police was also reported by witnesses.

Many houses caught fire after the blast. Eight to 10 nearby cars were also damaged in the explosion.

Witnesses said windowpanes in nearby buildings broke and the area was plunged into darkness immediately after the blast.

An emergency was declared in the area after the blast, and firefighters were battling the flames.

Nazir Kurd, a senior police official in Quetta, told Xinhua that a photographer named Hassan from a local media group received a bullet wound in his head while covering the incident.

The police official warned the media to stay away from the site as occasional firing was still being reported.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has ordered an inquiry into the attack.