Islamabad, Aug 17 (IANS): A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, leaving at least three people injured, police said on Saturday.

The explosion occurred near a university in Sariab Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province, according to police in Quetta.

According to initial investigations, the attack was carried out through an improvised explosive device, said police, adding that the target of the blast was ascertained, Xinhua news agency reported.

The powerful blast was heard across the main city of Quetta, causing panic among residents. Following the incident, security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.

Security forces cordoned off the area and began a search operation.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the blast.

On Friday, three terrorists were killed and one was injured in a clash with security forces in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the country's military said in a statement.

The incident occurred in the North Waziristan district on Friday when the security forces launched an operation after receiving a tip-off regarding the presence of the militants in the area, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army.

The operation led to an intense exchange of fire, resulting in casualties of the terrorists, the statement added.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed militants, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians, the ISPR said.

A clearance operation was being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, the statement read.