Islamabad, Oct 24 (IANS) At least three people were killed and 30 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a vehicle of a religious party's leader in Pakistan's Quetta city Thursday evening, officials said.

Sarfaraz Bugti, provincial assembly member, said that the vehicle of Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, chairman of the Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam, was targeted as soon as he arrived to address a political gathering in Quetta, the capital of the country's southwestern Balochistan province, Xinhua reported.

Talking to media, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said that he survived the attack because the vehicle which was carrying him was bullet proof. However, he said two of his party activists were killed in the attack.

The injured people have been shifted to a nearby hospital where at least six were in critical condition.

The bomb disposal unit said that the suicide bomber was carrying an estimated 6-8 kg of explosive materials in his vest.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police cordoned off the area for investigations.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the attack and directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.