Bombing Injures Fifteen Security Personnel in Southwest Pakistan

A bomb explosion has injured 15 security personnel outside of Quetta,
Pakistan, as authorities struggle to determine the motive and contain
extremists seeking greater provincial autonomy and the ouster of U.S. forces
from the region. The explosion occurred as a truck carrying 30 members of
the Balochistan Reserve Police (BRP) and Frontier Corps (FC) was passing
through the outskirts of the city (The News, Daily Times). The bomb was
planted on a bicycle parked near a speed bump where the truck was passing
and ripped through the vehicle, causing 15 injuries. Investigators called to
the scene of the blast differed on the whether the device was
radio-controlled or timed to detonate as the truck was passing. Police
sources indicated that at least six people have been taken into custody for
questioning.

ANALYSIS: Bomb explosions and rocket firings have become routine in parts of
Balochistan, including Quetta, and often police have been unable to identify
the groups behind the attacks or their motives (The News). In some cases,
police believe the attacks have been tied to groups seeking greater autonomy
for the province, while in others, including a major attack against Shia
worshippers in March, sectarian issues have been the motive. Police also
remain concerned about Muslim militants in the region who oppose the
U.S.-led War on Terror in Afghanistan and have threatened to attack U.S.
interests in retaliation. These low-level sporadic attacks -- involving
little more than homemade devices placed in strategic locations -- likely
will continue given that they are perceived as an effective means to express
extremist views and effectuate political change.

Source: Intellibridge