Army personnel during a search operation. Photo: File 

CHAMAN: Two alleged suspects were arrested in a search operation in connection with the Quetta suicide blast that killed 15 people and injured at least 40 on Saturday night, security officials said on Sunday.

The suspects were shifted to an undisclosed location. Officials informed that a huge cache of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from a house during the search operation.

Officials added that 671 personnel mines, 16 IEDs, 67 remotes, 167 antennas, 14 IED electric circuits, more than 100kg explosives, six bundle IED wires, three suicide jackets, 50 electronic detonators, 50 rocket launchers and 25kg ball bearings were hidden in the house. 

A huge suicide explosion, targeting Pakistan Army personnel in Quetta, reportedly took place in a vehicle, occurred at the Pishin bus stop, causing cars in the surroundings to catch fire soon afterwards.

"An attempt to mar independence day festivity. Our resolve won't succumb to any challenge," DG ISPR Major-General Asif Ghafoor posted on Twitter.

Army troops reached the site of the incident soon after the attack and cordoned off the area.

The injured were shifted to the Combined MIlitary Hospital, some of the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta and an emergency was declared in hospitals in the vicinity.