QUETTA – At least 11 people were injured in an explosion in Nushki, an areain Balochistan, on Tuesday when nation is celebrating 71 years ofindependence.

According to media reports, the blast took place on Masjid Road, minutesafter an Independence Day rally passed through this area. A gap of fewminutes saved the country from major incident.

The injured persons have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatmentand all are said to be in stable position, the reports said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area, while search operation has beenlaunched to trace the suspects.

The nation today is celebrating 72nd Independence Day with renewed resolveto work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement to make the country a trulyIslamic welfare state.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salute in the federal and twenty-onegun salute at the provincial capitals. Prayers will be offered for securityand progress of Pakistan and wellbeing of the people.

A change of guard ceremony was held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi andIqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore, where cadets of Pakistan Navy took charge oftheir duties.

Special prayers were offered in mosques with the start of the day forpeace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country, besides praying for theearly resolution of the Kashmir issue.