A bomb aboard a rickshaw targets a security forces convoy. The bomb was made up of more than 100 kg of explosives. Meanwhile, the Chinese premier arrives in Pakistan for a two-day official visit. Objective: To strengthen ties, enhance trade and help solve the energy crisis.

Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The death toll is of 12 dead in an attack this morning in Quetta, capital of the southwestern province of Baluchistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. According to preliminary reports, the attackers placed the bomb on board a rickshaw that hit a vehicle used by Pakistani security forces, the real goal of the slaughter. The bomb contained over 100 kg of explosive and was operated via remote control.

The issue of security in Pakistan is back in the headlines, a few days after the election that sealed victory for Nawaz Sharif.  The prime minister-elect met with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, at the start of a two-day official visit, during which there was also talk of energy supplies and bilateral cooperation.

The attack this morning in Quetta targeted a military vehicle, carrying special forces security guards. Police and Army are among the main targets of the Taliban and Islamic fundamentalists in Pakistan, the same Baluchistan province - the largest and at the same time, most backward - has long been the scene of attacks and separatist or extremist violence.

Fayyaz Sumbal, senior police officer, said that "the victims are 12, 11 of which are members of the security." There are 11 wounded, some of them seriously. Just ten days ago, the police chief of Quetta miraculously escaped a vicious attack when a car bomb exploded near his home, killing six people and wounding 46.

Along with security, the other major theme of these weeks of campaigning and elections is energy. And it was the main theme of the meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang - committed in the first foreign trip of the appointment, the first stage in India - and the future Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, who won in the elections of 11 May. Sharif has asked the help of Beijing to access more supplies, among other objectives, an overall growth in bilateral trade from the current 12 to 15 billion in the near future. The new prime minister of China, who today delivered an official speech in the Senate, also wanted to send a "strong signal" to the international community, reaffirming the desire to "strengthen" ties with Islamabad.

 

 

• PAKISTAN
• -
• CHINA
• taliban
• terrorism
• attack
• quetta
• talks
• energy