25 killed, 35 injured in blast at hospital in Pakistan

At least 25 people were today killed and 35 others injured when a bomb ripped through a hospital in Quetta in Pakistan's restive south-western Balochistan province followed by gunfire.

The loud explosion, followed by firing, was heard after the president of Balochistan Bar Association (BA) Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the provincial capital. The bomb exploded as lawyers brought Balochistan Bar Association's President Bilal Kasi, who was gunned down to the hospital, according to police and rescue officials.

Lawyers and journalists had gathered at the emergency department where Bilal Kasi's body was brought when the explosion occurred. Most of the injured are lawyers, eyewitnesses were quoted as saying in the local media.

At least 25 people were killed and 35 injured in the blast, Geo News reported.

Police said unknown men also opened fire after the blast.

Panic tore through the hospital after the incident and emergency have been declared at hospitals in Quetta.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Corps and police arrived and cordoned off the area.

Unidentified armed men opened fire at Advocate Kasi's car near Quetta's Mengal Chowk on Manno Jan road; police officials told The Express Tribune. The former president was shifted to Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

The provincial capital has been at the receiving end of several such acts of terror. In May, two persons were killed and five injured when an explosion occurred at the main entrance of Balochistan University.

• Quetta blast
• Quetta in Pakistan
• Balochistan