At least four people have been killed and a dozen others wounded when a powerful car bomb exploded at a top hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in south-western Pakistan.
The blast took place in the car park of the Serena – a luxury hotel chain throughout Pakistan – in the city of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province where the military has been fighting a decade-long low level insurgency.
“At least four people have been killed and 12 others were injured,” Pakistan’s interior minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, describing it as “an act of terrorism”.
“A Chinese delegation of around four people led by the ambassador was lodging in the hotel.
“The ambassador was out for a meeting when the explosion took place,” he added.
The Pakistan Taliban later claimed responsibility for the bombing which they said was a suicide attack.