12 die in Pakistan bombing

Islamabad  :  Twelve people, including eight police personnel, were killed and over 20 injured Thursday in a powerful bombing in Pakistan’s Quetta city.

The deafening explosion took place in Bhosa Mandi area of Quetta Thursday morning, DawnNews reported.

Fayyaz Sumbal, a senior police official, said militants targeted the vehicle of police’s Rapid Response Force (RRF) through a remote control bomb.

The explosives were planted in a car that was parked on the roadside.

“When vehicle of RRF reached the spot there was a huge blast,” he was quoted as saying.

The blast destroyed police vehicles and nearby buildings.

“More than 100 kgs explosives were used in the blast,” a bomb disposal squad official told the daily.

The bombing took place when Pakistan is hosting the high-profile visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who arrived in Islamabad on a two-day trip Wednesday.