11 killed in Pakistan blast (Third Lead)

At least 11 people were killed and over 20 injured in a blast in Pakistan's Quetta city, police said.

The explosion occurred at around 9 a.m. near Balochistan province's Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ehsan Mehboob's office on Gulistan Road where important government offices are located

"A suicide bomber was driving a car full of explosives towards the IGP's office and when he was stopped at the check post, the explosion occurred," The Nation quoted a police statement as saying.

According to a senior health official, the victims included three police officers and one traffic warden.

The injured were shifted to Quetta's Civil Hospital. Four, including a 10-year-old girl are said to in critical condition.

An eyewitness told The Nation, "I was two minutes away from the scene when I heard a loud explosion. The intensity was so severe that when the dust settled, a victim's leg was near me."

Balochistan government spokesman Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that there were intelligence reports that an attack would take place near Eid.

"It's possible the IGP office was the target, or the assailants were trying to enter the (Army) cantonment which is close by," he said.

No group has claimed responsibility so far.

--IANS

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