A policeman killed by an explosion in Dair as he helped clear a road following acts of sabotage was about to become a father, it has emerged.

Abdulwaheed Al Balooshi, 29, died in hospital yesterday of severe chest injuries, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He and his colleagues had been clearing a road of debris caused by anti-government protesters when the blast happened on Friday night.

Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa joined hundreds of mourners at his funeral, at Hunainiyah Cemetery in Riffa yesterday.

"His death after a blast is shocking news for all of us, but the emotional part is that his wife is eight months pregnant and is expecting their first baby any moment," said a relative of Al Balooshi, who did not wish to be named.

"She is in trauma and this could affect the baby.

"We are now trying to console her, but it's not easy, as she lost her husband whom she loved dearly.

"He was a nice boy and was active and sincere to his duty."

The policeman's father was too upset to speak.

Al Balooshi is survived by two brothers, who also work in the Interior Ministry, two sisters and his parents.

The Interior Minister expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and his colleagues who were on duty with him.

He said an investigation into the bombing is ongoing and stressed that terror acts will only strengthen the resolve and determination of the Bahrain police force.

"We vow to continue our commitment and loyalty to uphold the safety and stability of the nation, even when it requires making painful sacrifices," Lt-Gen Shaikh Rashid said.

Pakistan Embassy community welfare attache Maqsood Qadir Shah assisted the family in getting the papers ready so the policeman could be buried.

"It's a very emotional story and our deepest condolences to the relatives, especially the parents of the policeman and his wife," he said.

"I was just talking to his father and when he told me about the baby I was very upset."

Al Balooshi's colleague Faris Abdullah Nasser was also caught in the blast and is being treated in hospital.

It is feared he could lose a leg.

Yesterday marked a third day of violence as rioters and anti-government protesters waged a campaign of terror against Bahrain's security forces on the third anniversary of the unrest.

Ten policemen have been killed since February 2011 and more than 2,500 hurt, including 80 with life-changing injuries such as the loss of a limb or bodily function.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "unequivocally condemned" attacks by rioters against Bahrain's security forces.

"The secretary-general has consistently called on all sides in Bahrain to exercise restraint and refrain from violent acts," said Mr Ban's spokesman. - TradeArabia News Service