QUETTA: Two policemen were martyred, and another was injured in a bomb blast targeting a police vehicle in Southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday.
According to local authorities, the blast occurred in Kuchlak town near Quetta, the provincial capital.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Azhar Rashid reported that the explosives had been planted at the scene earlier and detonated as the police vehicle approached.
The martyred policemen were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Zainuddin and gunman Mohammad Tahir. The driver was injured and initially treated at Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital before being transferred to a trauma center in Quetta.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack and paid tribute to the fallen officers. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized that the sacrifices of Balochistan’s police, levies, and security forces in combating terrorism would not be overlooked. Bugti pledged that the government would persist in its efforts until all terrorists and their supporters were eliminated.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also honored the two martyred officers, offering his heartfelt condolences to their families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured driver. He praised the Balochistan Police for their continued sacrifices and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to defeating terrorism. Naqvi underscored that the fight against terrorism is a national effort that will continue until the last terrorist is dealt with.
The attack comes amid a surge in terrorist activities across Pakistan. August saw a sharp rise in incidents, with 59 attacks reported nationwide, up from 38 in July, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).
The escalation included multiple attacks by militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), resulting in at least 50 deaths, including 14 security personnel. The militants targeted police stations, railway tracks, and vehicles, leading to a strong response from security forces who neutralized 21 militants.
