QUETTA, (DNA) -At least 18 people have been killed and  several others  injured in a blast near a polling station on Eastern By-Pass.

DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema confirmed that 15 people were injured in the blast that apparently targeted a police vehicle near a polling station.

Geo TV reported that two childern and a policeman were among the dead.

Five  of the injured  were shifted to the Civil Hospital.

DIG Javed Akbar Riaz said the Bomb Disposal Squad was collecting evidence to  ascertain nature of the blast.

He said the blast was an attempt to sabotage  election.

A state of emergency  has been declared in the  hospital where injured have been moved.