QUETTA, (TDI): A powerful blast in Turbat of Balochistan on Saturday left at least four people dead and 32 others injured, local authorities confirmed. Among the injured, five are reported to be in critical condition.
The cause of the blast has not yet been determined, but CCTV footage captured the moment of the explosion. The video shows a passenger bus engulfed in flames as the blast occurred, disrupting traffic on the road.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zohaib Mohsin of the Serious Crime Wing was among those injured in the attack, along with six members of his family who were traveling with him at the time.
The victims of the explosion have been identified as Noor Khan, Abdul Wahab, Ijaz, and Liaquat Ali. All were civilians from various parts of Balochistan.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security officials allege the group has targeted civilians with increasing frequency, with over 100 deaths attributed to the organization in the past year.
“This attack underscores the nefarious objectives of the BLA, which continues to claim innocent lives,” a security official stated.
Recurring Violence in Turbat
This is not the first such incident in Turbat. Last month, an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the nearby Dasht area claimed two lives and injured four others, also damaging a vehicle.
According to the Center for Research and Security Studies’ Annual Security Report, Balochistan experienced 782 fatalities out of Pakistan’s total of 2,546 deaths in 2024. The increase in attacks is linked to the resurgence of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, experts say.
Condemnation from Leadership
Pakistan’s political leadership strongly condemned the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences and pledged that counter-terrorism operations would continue until the threat was eradicated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, asserting that “terrorists will not succeed in their nefarious aims.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to combating terrorism in collaboration with security forces.
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Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah denounced the attack as “inhumane and despicable,” stating that targeting innocent civilians is a barbaric act. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also condemned the blast, branding the perpetrators as “enemies of humanity.”
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The incident highlights the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, where separatist and militant groups have intensified their activities. With a history of unrest and increasing attacks on civilians, the region remains one of Pakistan’s most volatile areas.
As investigations into the Turbat blast continue, authorities have vowed to bring those responsible to justice and reinforce efforts to prevent further violence.
