A powerful car bomb explosion rocked the city of Qillah Abdullah in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province late Sunday night, killing at least four people and injuring 20 others, authorities confirmed.
The blast occurred near a crowded marketplace and also caused damage to the outer wall of a nearby paramilitary building, according to Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Riaz. Rescue operations were launched immediately following the explosion, with the wounded being shifted to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
As of Monday morning, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on Baloch separatist outfits that have historically carried out similar attacks in the region. These groups, including the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have waged a decades-long insurgency seeking independence or greater autonomy for the resource-rich province.
Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, strongly condemned the bombing and said a detailed investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“This was a cowardly act of violence aimed at destabilizing peace in the province,” Rind stated, vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Balochistan has long been the epicenter of a simmering conflict between Pakistani security forces and various insurgent groups. While the government maintains that development and reconciliation efforts are ongoing, violence continues to claim lives in the region.
The Balochistan Liberation Army was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019 due to its involvement in violent insurgent activities. The group often targets military installations, infrastructure, and civilians in an effort to further its separatist agenda.
Sunday’s blast underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining security amid a complex insurgency.
Sources By Agencies
