One killed, several injured in Kech bomb blast

QUETTA: At least one person was killed and several others injured in a blast in Balochistan’s Kech district on Thursday.

According to security sources, the explosion took place on the National Highway in the Konchti Dasht area.

They said a vehicle packed with explosives was used in the attack.

Earlier, more than 15 armed robbers had looted Rs220.5 million from two bank cash transit vans in Kech district.

Deputy Commissioner Kech Major (retd) Bashir Ahmed Badich had confirmed the incident but shared no further details.

Another district administration official had said that the heist took place on the M-8 highway at Dasht Khadan Cross, around 60 kilometres from Turbat.

The robbers not only seized the cash but also snatched weapons from the private security guards escorting the vans.

A security company employee, requesting anonymity, said the cash had been collected from two private banks — Meezan Bank and Bank Alfalah — in Turbat.

It was being transferred to Karachi in two bulletproof vans operated by SOS, a private security firm.

According to the official, one bank’s share amounted to Rs1.455 million and the other’s to Rs750 million, packed into more than 20 bags.

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Eight security guards were travelling with the convoy, and the robbers snatched six of their guns.

The assailants, estimated at 15–20, showed up in four vehicles and motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons. They blocked the road using an Iranian-made pickup truck, commonly used for fuel smuggling, while others took positions in the surrounding area.

“The attackers threatened the guards, saying this is government money, hand it over or be killed,” said the security official. The robbers then transferred the bags of cash into their own vehicles and fled. Witnesses said they spoke in the local Balochi language.