A police officer and two civilians died and 23 people were injured in a bomb attack in strife-affected Balochistan province on Wednesday. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on a police truck in Quetta.

Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that the injured includes 20 policemen and three civilians. The newspaper quoted Quetta’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Ghulam Azfar Mahesar as saying: “The explosion took place near the police truck […] due to the impact [of the blast], the vehicle — which was on its way to provide security to police workers — toppled and fell into a ditch”.

He added that 25 kg of explosives were used in the blast that impacted three vehicles. The blast site has been cordoned off and investigations are underway.

The TTP, also known as Pakistan Taliban, had announced just a day earlier that it has ended the ceasefire with Pakistan as the security forces have carried on their operations against the militants. It also asked its fighters to carry out attacks wherever and whenever they could.

After the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021 with the withdrawal of American and NATO troops, Pakistan witnessed rising violence with the militants turning their attention towards Pakistan’s border areas with Afghanistan.

The attacks forced the Pakistani government to open up talks with TTP and declare a ceasefire, which was withdrawn by TTP earlier this week.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said he has asked authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured.

Also read: Massive 26/11 protests in US highlight terror radiating from Pakistan