Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051206181600.htm

International

Six killed in Baloch blasts

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Six personnel of the Pakistani paramilitary were killed and several injured in five landmine blasts on Thursday at a police training school in the capital of the restive Balochistan.

Reports from Quetta said the killings occurred early morning as the police officers were taking part in target practice. Till evening, none had claimed responsibility for the explosions. Authorities suspect the hand of the self-styled Baloch nationalists who have been engaged in fighting the Government for several months now.

Inspector-General of Balochistan Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqub told the local television channels that two suspects had been detained.

Balochistan has witnessed several incidents of violence in recent months and 150 persons are believed to have died so far in this year. The rebels have been waging a revolt for the past two years demanding more political rights and a greater share of profits from the natural resources.

They have been blamed for a string of attacks on police and soldiers in the province, as well as bomb blasts targeting gas fields, electricity pylons, railways and other government-run facilities. On Sunday, three landmine explosions killed three persons and injured four.