A devastating bombing occurred in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, resulting in the loss of at least six lives, including paramilitary troops, and injuring over 25 others. The attack targeted a bus carrying Frontier Corps (FC) personnel traveling from Karachi to Turbat.
According to Rashid-ur-Rehman, a senior local police official, “At least six people, including FC soldiers and civilians, were killed in a bomb attack on a bus.” The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the bombing, stating that the attack targeted a convoy of Pakistani army personnel.
Notably, a high-ranking police officer, SSP Zohaib Mohsin, was on the bus with his family, who were part of a wedding party, and may have been the target of the attack. The BLA has a history of claiming responsibility for attacks on security forces and non-local Pakistanis, particularly those from Punjab, in Balochistan province.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in attacks in recent months, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In 2024 alone, 383 soldiers and 925 militants were killed in various clashes. Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has faced decades of sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence.
Militants in the region have also targeted foreign-funded energy projects, accusing external groups of exploiting the area’s natural resources while neglecting local residents. Recent attacks in the region include a bombing at Quetta’s railway station in November, which killed at least 26 people, and coordinated attacks by the BLA in August, which resulted in the loss of at least 39 lives.
The ongoing violence in Balochistan province has raised concerns about the security situation in the region and the need for effective measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
