12 killed, 20 injured as blast hits army truck in Southwest Pakistan

Pakistani soldiers and volunteers attempt to move a victim's body after a blast in Quetta on August 12, 2017. A powerful blast has killed at least 12 people and wounded 20 others in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan. [Photo: CFP]

At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured when a blast hit an army truck in capital city Quetta of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Saturday night, local Urdu media reported.

The 92 News said that the army truck was passing by Pishin Stop area of the city when it was targeted by the explosion.

Nature of the blast has not been determined yet.

Home Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti said that number of casualties was feared to rise as it was a "huge blast," which caused fire in the area.

Two cars, four rickshaws and two motorbikes caught fire in the explosion.

The injured people have been shifted to a nearby hospital where a state of emergency has been declared.

No group has claimed the attack yet.

Security forces cordoned off the blast site for investigations.