A suicide attack drags the Pakistani city of Quetta

Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, near the border with Afghanistan. The province has seen a decades-long insurgency by separatists calling for Pakistan’s independence, citing what they say is the state’s monopoly and the exploitation of the province’s mineral resources.

Quetta District Inspector General of Police Azhar Akram confirmed to CNN that the attack was caused by a suicide bomber and took place early Sunday morning at a checkpoint of Frontier Corp, the paramilitary troops parked in the city of Quetta.

The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the blast in a statement released to CNN.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident in a Twitter post on Sunday.

“Condemn the TTP suicide attack at the FC checkpoint, Mastung Road, Quetta. My condolences go to the families of the martyrs and prayers for the recovery of the wounded. Salute our security forces and their sacrifices to maintain us safe frustrating terrorists backed by foreign “designs,” the tweet said.

TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud appeared fortified by Afghan Taliban gains in an exclusive interview with CNN six weeks ago. When the Taliban closed Kabul, Mehsud suggested that “the victory of one Muslim was surely useful to another Muslim.”

He promised to take control of Pakistan’s tribal border region, hinting that it would be easier with the missing U.S. forces and the Afghan Taliban in charge of Kabul. Attacks with American drones killed three of their predecessors.

The number of TTP attacks in August was more than double the monthly average last year, according to figures released by the group.

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