Car bomb kills 16 near home of former minister in western Pakistan

Car bomb kills 16 near home of former minister in western Pakistan

2012-01-01 15:43:55 GMT+7 (ICT)

QUETTA, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll following a car bomb attack near the home of a politician in western Pakistan on Friday has risen to at least 16, police said on Saturday. Dozens more were injured.

The attack happened near the residence of former federal minister Naseer Mengal in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province which borders with Afghanistan. Authorities believe Naseer Mengal's son, Shafiq Mengal, was the target although he was not injured.

The powerful explosion was heard up to several miles (kilometers) away and destroyed several homes nearby, leaving sixteen people killed and 35 others injured. The death toll initially stood at nine, but authorities recovered seven more bodies from the scene on Saturday.

Investigators who examined the scene on Saturday said approximately 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of explosives were used in the blast, which left a crater of about four feet (1.2 meter) deep. It was not immediately clear if it was a suicide attack or a bomb which was planted in the vehicle.

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