On Saturday, a blast occurred in Turbat, Balochistan that injured Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zohaib Mohsin, as confirmed by the provincial government. The nature of the explosion is still unclear.
The banned militant group, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), has claimed responsibility for the blast. The involvement of the group forms a growing security concern in the region.
Casualties and Reactions
Besides the police officer, some people were killed in the attack. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has condemned the attack and expressed deep sorrow over the killing of innocent people. He condoled with the families of the victims and termed the perpetrators inhuman.
Earlier Attacks in the Province
This incident comes after an attack on a gas company vehicle in Qila Saifullah district earlier in the week, where one person was injured. A planned attack on an Oil and Gas Development Corporation camp in the district was also thwarted.
Security Situation in Balochistan
Turbat’s blast is a trend of rising violence in Balochistan. In November 2024, a suicide bomb attack on Quetta Railway Station killed at least 26 people and injured 62 others, which reveals the instability.
Pakistani Terrorism Surge
The year 2024 has proved to be the deadliest for Pakistan’s security forces in a decade with more than 685 security personnel losing their lives to 444 terror attacks. Besides, 1,612 civilians lost their lives to terrorism, the highest number compared to previous years.
The authorities are monitoring the situation and updating the reports as the investigation unfolds. The reports are still developing, and the government is working to verify the information that is coming forward.
