QUETTA/RAWALPINDI: At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured on Tuesday after a powerful bomb blast tore through a busy street near Quetta’s Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters, officials confirmed.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar told reporters that 10 bodies and 32 injured had been shifted to the Civil Hospital and Trauma Centre, with six in critical condition. Civil Lines Police SHO Ameen Jaffar earlier reported eight bodies brought to the Civil Hospital.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Operations Muhammad Baloch, the blast occurred when a vehicle turned from Model Town toward Hali Road, close to the FC headquarters.
Locals reported that heavy gunfire followed the explosion, causing panic in the area.
Television and social media footage captured the chaos immediately after the blast, with ambulances rushing the wounded and security forces cordoning off the area.
Hospitals Declare Emergency
Following the explosion, emergency protocols were implemented in Quetta hospitals. All doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff were summoned to Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College (BMC), and the Trauma Centre.
Health Minister Kakar said most of the injured were civilians, with six in serious condition.
Government Response
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as a “terrorist act,” adding that security forces killed four terrorists in a swift counter-operation. He emphasized that cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the nation’s resolve, and the sacrifices of martyrs and security personnel will not go in vain.
President Asif Ali Zardari described the incident as a suicide attack carried out by “Fitna-al-Khawarij,” a term used for militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alleging they were acting on India’s agenda. He praised the security forces for their timely response and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces for their actions, vowed exemplary punishment for the terrorists, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating militancy.
Global Reaction: Russian Embassy Condemns Attack
The Embassy of Russia in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Quetta. It emphasized the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and hoped that those responsible for the attack would be identified and brought to justice.
The embassy expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for all the injured.
Security Situation and Rising Threats
The attack comes amid an increase in violence across Balochistan, where militant groups, including the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have adopted new tactics targeting security forces.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant attacks in Pakistan rose by 74% in August compared to July, resulting in nearly 200 fatalities.
Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia have repeatedly voiced concern over terrorist organizations operating from Afghanistan, including the TTP, Al-Qaeda, and the BLA, warning that cross-border militancy poses a growing threat to regional stability.
