Nov 14, 2006

Balochistan: Attack Damages Provincial Assembly


A rocket has hit the Provincial Assembly building of Quetta in Pakistan's troubled south-west Balochistan province, though no casualties are reported.

Below is an article from India’s Daily News and Analysis:

 

ISLAMABAD: A rocket hit the Provincial Assembly building of Quetta in Pakistan's troubled south-west Balochistan province, police said on Saturday.

There were no casualties or injuries in the attack on Friday night, they said.

"It was a 107 mm rocket that landed and exploded on the roof of the newly built administration block of the provincial assembly," SSP, Quetta Qazi Abdul Wahid said.

The assembly session had been adjourned just one and a half-hours before the attack.

Police were quoted as saying that a long range rocket was fired from Brewery area, about five kilometres west of the provincial capital, and exploded about 50 yards from the main assembly building and the residential suite of Deputy Speaker Aslam Bhootani in the MPA hostel.

Meanwhile, a powerful blast took place near the office of the district coordination officer of Kharan after Friday prayers, causing panic in the small township.

According to another report, a vehicle of the Frontier Corps was destroyed in a powerful landmine explosion in Pir Koh gas field area of Dera Bugti district. "It was an anti-tank mine that blew up the vehicle," official sources said.

Even though nobody has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, police suspect it to be the handiwork of Baloch nationalist rebels fighting for more autonomy and provincial rights.