QUETTA, Aug 12 (INP): At least 17 people died, scores others were injured and several vehicles damaged in powerful bomb blast here late Saturday evening. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the blast took place near Pishin Stop in the provincial capital Quetta where a vehicle of the security forces was targeted. Several vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles present near the scene caught fire due to the blast. About 17 people were killed in the blast and about three dozen others were injured. Fire brigades and rescue personnel rushed the scene of the blast and started rescue operation. Emergency was declared in the hospitals. The bodies and injured were shifted to Civil Hospital and other hospitals of Quetta for medico-legal formalities where condition of several wounded people was stated to be serious and it was feared that death toll could rise further. Several vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles were gutted before the blaze was extinguished. Glass panes of surrounding buildings were also smashed due to intensity of the blast. INP/SB/AK