Police in Pakistan say a bomb planted on a vehicle in the southwest of the country has killed at least 12 people, including 11 police officers.
Police officials said the attack just outside Quetta also wounded more than 20.
Police said the bomb targeted a vehicle carrying members of the police's special forces.
A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.
Quetta is the capital of southwestern Balochistan Province, which is a stronghold for a variety of violent militant groups.
It has been a center for nationalist insurgents who want a greater share of the region's natural resources.
They opposed the May 11 parliamentary elections.
The province is also a base for Islamic militants opposed to the Afghan and Pakistani governments.
In recent years, radical Sunni Muslim militants have been intensifying their attacks against minority Shi'ites in Balochistan.
Police officials said the attack just outside Quetta also wounded more than 20.
Police said the bomb targeted a vehicle carrying members of the police's special forces.
A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.
Quetta is the capital of southwestern Balochistan Province, which is a stronghold for a variety of violent militant groups.
It has been a center for nationalist insurgents who want a greater share of the region's natural resources.
They opposed the May 11 parliamentary elections.
The province is also a base for Islamic militants opposed to the Afghan and Pakistani governments.
In recent years, radical Sunni Muslim militants have been intensifying their attacks against minority Shi'ites in Balochistan.
