13 killed and 16 wounded in explosion in Pakistani city of Quetta (UPDATES)

Thirteen people were killed and at least 16 wounded in a blast on the outside of Quetta, Pakistan, on Thursday — an area of the nation that's been stricken with nationalist violence in recent years. 

A remote-controlled bomb packed with around 220 pounds of explosives blew up a vehicle carrying members of the rapid-response force of the Baluchistan Constabulary, a government paramilitary force, the New York Times reported.

Read more from GlobalPost: Series of bombings kills 115 in Pakistan

Eleven security officers and two civilians were killed. Five died on the scene while the rest died of their injuries at a Quetta hospital, reports Xinhua.

Nearby shops and houses were also damaged in the blast, added CNN.

The Pakistani Taliban said they had planted the bomb. "We proudly claim responsibility for Thursday's blast in Quetta and the target was local police," Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan said, according to Reuters. "The Baluchistan police recently arrested and killed some of our colleagues belonging to the Swat Taliban."

Quetta has been the site of numerous deadly explosions in recent months, including a series of deadly January bombings that killed 115 people, largely members of the persecuted Hazara minority. Dozens died in another bombing targeting Hazaras in February.