At least 11 people, including two paramilitary soldiers, were martyred on Tuesday when a suicide bomb blast ripped through the Pishin Stop area near the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Quetta, triggering a gunbattle in which security forces killed six terrorists, officials said.
The blast occurred as security forces launched an intelligence-based operation (IBO) against Fitna al-Hindustan in the Zehri area of the Khuzdar district, killing seven Indian-proxy terrorists and injuring at least 10 others, according to sources.
Security officials said the terrorists tried to storm the FC headquarters in the Balochistan capital. One of them detonated himself near a checkpoint. In the ensuing exchange of fire, security forces killed six terrorists and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.
"The suicide bomber, riding in a Suzuki van, detonated the device, while [at least] five of his accomplices tried to enter the compound afterwards," a senior local government official told AFP. "In the exchange of fire, all attackers were killed," the official said.
"Their [security forces'] timely response averted a larger tragedy," said another official. "A large cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists," he added. Officials revealed that the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) confirmed that 30 to 40 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast.
CCTV images shared with media showed an open-backed van turning into the entrance of the FC headquarters before the explosion. Eyewitnesses described the blast as "so intense" that it was heard across the city, causing panic among residents as fire and smoke billowed from the site.
Rescue officials said a local passenger bus was among the targets, hit by the suicide bombing, leaving commuters and nearby pedestrians seriously wounded. Besides the 11 fatalities, nearly three-dozen others sustained injuries, according to Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar.
Many of the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta, where several remain in critical condition, according to medics. Kakar said that an emergency had been declared in all hospitals across the city to ensure swift medical treatment for the injured.
The explosion caused significant damage to nearby buildings, shattering windows and doors. Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the incident and launched a thorough investigation. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.Separately, according to sources, security forces carried out an operation following intelligence reports about growing terrorist activity by Fitna al-Hindustan in the Zehri area of Khuzdar. So far, seven terrorists have been killed and 10 others injured as a result of the operation, they said.
During the IBO, the sources continued, forces also defused an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the terrorists on the main bridge of Badokasht. The forces also recovered ready-to-use IEDs, transmitters, American-made automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition, and motorcycles, they added.
The Indian-proxy terrorist attack in Quetta was widely condemned by the national leadership as well as international partners. President Asif Zardari, who is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack.
In their separate messages, they emphasised that such cowardly attacks could not weaken the national resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country. They also praised the timely action by the security forces and killing the Indian-proxy terrorists.
President Zardari blamed the Indian-proxy Fitna al-Khawarij for the attack. "The growing frustration of anti-Pakistan forces is a reflection of their failure and inevitable downfall," Zardari remarked, reaffirming the nation's determination to thwart India-backed designs.
Acting President Gilani also denounced the bombing, calling it a "brutal and cowardly act" and a direct assault on the country's peace. He warned that terrorists, facilitators, and "so-called Khawarij," particularly those backed by India, would meet a humiliating end.
Prime Minister Shehbaz lauded the security forces for killing terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan. "The government, security forces, and the entire nation are determined to eradicate terrorism and Fitna al-Hindustan from the country," he asserted.
Condemning the incident, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti vowed justice for the victims. He said the people of Balochistan, alongside the government and security forces, stood united against terrorists who are targeting civilians on the directives of their 'masters'.
The attack also drew sharp condemnation from the international community. The United States extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery. "We stand in solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism," the US statement read, pledging continued support for peace and stability in Balochistan and across the country.
The Russian Embassy also condemned the incident, urging the need to combat terrorism "in all its forms and manifestations." In a statement, it expressed hope that those behind the attack would be identified and brought to justice, while conveying condolences and wishes for recovery to the injured..Speaking to Dawn.com, Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed the death and injury toll. He said, “Ten people have been killed while 32 were injured in the blast. The injured have been taken to the Civil Hospital and Trauma Centre.”
Separately, he told Reuters that the those martyred in the blast also included soldiers.
Meanwhile, Civil Lines Police Station House Officer (SHO) Ameen Jaffar told Dawn.com that “eight bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital after the blast”.
According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch, the “blast took place when a vehicle turned from Model Town towards Hali Road, close to the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters”.
Television and social media footage captured the moment when the powerful explosion ripped through the street
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “terrorist attack”.
“Following the incident, security forces gave a swift and effective response, eliminating four terrorists,” a post from the Balochistan government’s X account quoted him as saying.
“The terrorists cannot weaken the nation’s resolve through cowardly acts. The sacrifices of the people and security forces will not go in vain. We remain committed to making Balochistan peaceful and secure. I express solidarity with the families of the martyrs, pray for the elevation of their ranks, and for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Later, speaking during an event in Quetta, he said that “an operation against the terrorists is under way”.
President Asif Ali Zardari termed the incident a “suicide attack”.
“The president has strongly condemned the suicide attack in Quetta carried out by the Fitna-al-Khawarij, the misguided extremists acting on India’s agenda,” a statement from the President’s Secretariat said.
Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“The president said that the elements serving the interests of Fitna-al-Khawarij and India cannot undermine Pakistan’s peace and stability. He commended the security forces for their timely and effective response, which foiled the malicious designs of the terrorists.”
According to the statement, the president “prayed for the swift recovery of the injured FC personnel and lauded the courage and resolve of the country’s security forces in defending the motherland”.
Later, an X post by the Pakistan government said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had commended the security forces for killing the “terrorists of Fitna-al-Hindustan” who carried out the attack.
The state has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
The government statement said the PM also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured citizens and security personnel.
He expressed the resolve to defeat the nefarious designs of elements causing harm to citizens and their properties. “We will mete out exemplary punishment to elements trying to harm the security of the country,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Following the explosion, the Balochistan Health Department imposed an emergency in hospitals across the capital, according to Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman.
“An emergency has been declared at the Quetta Civil Hospital, Balochistan Medical College (BMC) Hospital Quetta, and the Trauma Centre,” a statement from Rehman said.
“All consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses, and paramedical staff have been directed to remain present in the hospitals.”
Speaking to the media later during a visit to the Civil Hospital, Health Minister Kakar said that the condition of six injured people was critical.
“A major terrorist plot was planned. I strongly condemn the blast near FC headquarters,” he said, adding that most of the injured were civilians.
The security situation in Balochistan has worsened in recent months, as terrorists, long involved in a low-level insurgency, have stepped up the frequency and intensity of their attacks. The banned so-called Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in particular, has adopted new tactics to inflict higher casualties and directly target Pakistani security forces