QUETTA: Police claimed to have foiled a major bid of terrorism by seizing an explosive-laden auto rickshaw in Quetta, the capital of the restive Balochistan province on Monday evening.

Deputy Inspector General Police Operations, Fayyaz Sumbal said police men were on routine patrolling when they spotted an explosive-laden rickshaw. He said miscreants had also planted bombs inside the rickshaw to cause maximum damage.

Sumbal said almost 150 kilogram explosives were planted inside the rickshaw to carry out a major attack inside Quetta city. “Terror plan has been foiled and explosives have been defused,” he said.

The deputy police chief said the vehicle was being shifted to nearby police station so that bomb disposal squad could further investigate. “Miscreant had planned to use rickshaw in a major terror attack on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitar,” Sumbal stated.

Balochistan government has tightened security in and around Quetta city prior to Eid-ul-Fitar – the most celebrated annual festival of Muslims.

Police, Balochistan Constabulary and Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed at all exit and entry points of the city. The forces have established joint pickets at all sensitive points of the city, plagued by sectarian attacks and Baloch insurgency for more than a decade.

In sensitive places and nearby important national installations, secret cameras have been installed to properly monitor security measures.