Car bomb explodes outside home of local politician in Quetta in Balochistan province, in country’s southwest.

At least 21 people were wounded in the blast in an exclusive neighbourhood in Quetta [AFP]

Police say a car bomb has exploded outside the home of a local politician in southwest Pakistan, killing at least 10 people.

Nazir Ahmed Kurd, a police officer, said Friday’s blast in an exclusive neighbourhood in Quetta also wounded 21 people, including children.

It was unclear if the politician, Shafique Mengal, was home at the time.

Mengal is the son of Naseer Mengal, a prominent politician who had served as oil minister during the rule of the former president, Pervez Musharraf.

The explosion shattered windows and knocked down electricity lines in the area. Live footage from local TV channels showed clouds of smoke rising from burning cars at the site of the bombing.

The surrounding province of Balochistan has experienced a violent campaign for decades by nationalists who demand more autonomy and a greater share of the province’s natural resources.