Quetta police on Thursday killed an alleged suicide bomber in the city’s Mecongi road area when he attempted to gain entry into Imambargah Nasirul Aza, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema.

A policeman was also injured when the bomber, reportedly dressed in a woman’s attire, hurled a hand-held bomb towards the Imambargah, Dawn quoted the DIG as saying, adding that a “major terror bid has been foiled.”

The bomber was carrying almost 12 to 15kg of explosives, an official told DawnNewsTV.

Following the incident, additional police force reached the crime scene and initiated their investigation. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

The Imam Bargah Nasirul Aza is located in the heart of Quetta city and has been targeted in the past as well.

Security has been beefed up in and around Quetta in anticipation of Jumatul Wida and Youmul Quds.