Suicide attack rocks Pakistani city of Quetta

Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province close to the Afghan border. The province has seen a decades-long insurgency by separatists who demand independence from Pakistan, citing what they are saying is the state's monopoly and exploitation of the province's mineral assets.

The District Inspector General of Police for Quetta, Azhar Akram, confirmed to CNN that the attack was attributable to a suicide bomber and befell early Sunday morning at a checkpoint of the Frontier Corp, the paramilitary troops stationed throughout the city of Quetta.

The Pakistani Taliban, generally known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed duty for the blast in an announcement launched to CNN.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident in a submit on Twitter Sunday.

"Condemn the TTP suicide attack on FC checkpost, Mastung road, Quetta. My condolences go to the families of the martyrs & prayers for the recovery of the injured. Salute our security forces & their sacrifices to keep us safe by thwarting foreign-backed terrorists' designs," the tweet learn.

TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud appeared buoyed by the Afghan Taliban good points in an unique interview with CNN six weeks in the past. As the Taliban closed in on Kabul, Mehsud urged "the victory of one Muslim was surely helpful to another Muslim."

He vowed to take management of Pakistan's tribal border area, hinting it will be simpler with US forces gone and the Afghan Taliban in cost in Kabul. US drone strikes killed three of his predecessors.

The quantity of TTP assaults In August was greater than double final yr's month-to-month common, in accordance with figures revealed by the group.

Journalist Asim Khan reported from Quetta with Sophia Saifi in Islamabad. CNN's Nic Robertson contributed reporting to this story.