QUETTA: At least four people were killed and 12 others wounded in a blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel Wednesday night. A heavy contingent of security forces reached the site and secured a perimeter around the site.
The Serena Hotel is the best known in Quetta, and provides accommodation for government officials and visiting dignitaries.
Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured persons to hospitals. The nature of the blast had yet to be ascertained. The bomb disposal squad was called in and a search for the perpetrators was on in the vicinity.
Balochistan health authorities have confirmed the bomb explosion and death of four persons by explosion and injuries of 12 others.
The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan is suspected to have been the target of the attack in the car park of the Serena Hotel.
He is understood to be in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province near the Afghan border, but was not present at the scene at the time.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have claimed the attack, without giving details.
“The blast took place in the parking of Serena Hotel,” Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson said.
Balochistan’s provincial Home Minister Ziaullah Lango told reporters that Mr Nong, the Chinese Ambassador was “in high spirits” and that his visit to Quetta would conclude on Thursday.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the casualties in the blast. “We have taken this seriously,” he said. “It came at a time when the Chinese ambassador was staying at the hotel but it has been foiled.”
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