Blast in southwestern Pakistan claims 2 lives

At least two people were killed and over 15 others were wounded in a powerful blast in Quetta city of southwestern Pakistani province Balochistan on Thursday, said police. A senior police official, SP Imran Qureshi in a statement told that the militants had planted explosives in a motorcycle parked near National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office in the crowded Double road area of the provincial capital. He confirmed that two people died on the spot. Qureshi further told that most of the victims are civilians and it could not be confirmed what the intended target of the militants was. The security forces immediately cordoned off the area and a probe into the incident went underway. The bomb disposal experts said that more than 10 kilograms of explosives was used in the blast. The intensity of the blast smashed glass windows of nearby shops and offices in the area. The blast also damaged three vehicles and three motorcycles parked close to the site of the incident. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital for medical treatment where the condition of two wounded is reported critical. Balochistan is facing militants' insurgency, kidnappings for ransom, sectarian violence for over a decade and militants targeted security forces and pro-government personalities in the area several times in past