Pakistan: 3 killed in suicide attack on bus carrying Shias

At least three people were killed and nine others injured when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying Shia pilgrims in Balochistan province of southwest Pakistan on Tuesday, according to officials.

The suspected bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the bus that was travelling from Taftan town on the border with Iran to the provincial capital of Quetta. The incident occurred in Mastung district.

Three persons were killed instantly, officials of the local administration told the media.Three personnel of the Levies militia and passengers of the bus were among the injured.

Shia pilgrims returning from Iran were travelling in the bus. Officials said they believed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Witnesses said the bus caught fire after the explosion. There were 15 people in the bus at the time of the blast.

Footage on television showed debris strewn over a large area around the blackened and mangled remains of the bus.

A vehicle of the Levies militia that was escorting the bus was also damaged.

There have been a series of attacks against the minority Shia community across Balochistan this year, including in Mastung district. The province has also witnessed widespread ethnic violence.

Last week, 10 Pashtun men were killed and four others injured when gunmen attacked a group of labourers in Dasht area of Mastung.