A deadly explosion tore through Quetta’s Zarghoon Road on Tuesday afternoon, striking near the Frontier Corps headquarters and sending shockwaves across the city. The blast, followed by intense gunfire, left at least five people dead and more than 20 injured. Panic gripped the area as terrified civilians rushed for cover while security forces swiftly moved in to counter the attackers.
Security officials confirmed that the incident was a suicide bombing orchestrated by Indian-sponsored terrorists disguised as FC personnel. A vehicle packed with explosives was rammed into the FC headquarters, while five armed militants attempted to storm the compound immediately after the explosion. However, security forces responded with precision, eliminating all six terrorists, including the suicide bomber, in a fierce exchange. At least two FC personnel were wounded during the encounter, and clearance operations were launched to secure the facility.
Initial reports from police suggested three fatalities, but later the death toll was revised. Dr Abdul Hadi, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Quetta, confirmed that five civilians had lost their lives and more than 20 people were injured. Emergency measures were immediately enforced across Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College, and the Trauma Centre. Health Department officials announced that doctors, consultants, nurses, and paramedical staff were urgently mobilised to deal with the influx of casualties.
The country’s leadership condemned the attack in strong terms. President Asif Ali Zardari declared that the terrorists were advancing India’s agenda to destabilise Pakistan. He praised the bravery of the security forces whose timely response averted a larger tragedy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the forces, prayed for the swift recovery of the injured, and vowed to deliver exemplary punishment to those plotting against Pakistan’s sovereignty. He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to wiping out terrorism from the country.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the cowardly assault, praising the quick and effective response of the security forces. He emphasised that such acts cannot break the spirit of the Pakistani nation, stressing that the sacrifices of the martyrs and the wounded will never be forgotten. He further reassured the people of Balochistan that his government is determined to secure peace in the province. Bugti also extended heartfelt solidarity with the families of the victims and offered prayers for their loved ones.
This brutal attack comes against the backdrop of a troubling surge in terrorism across Pakistan. According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant violence spiked by 74% in August compared to July, with 194 people losing their lives in terrorist incidents. Pakistan, along with China, Iran, and Russia, has voiced growing concern over the presence of terror outfits in Afghanistan, including Al-Qaeda, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and other groups destabilising the region.
The Quetta blast serves as yet another reminder of the grave challenges Pakistan faces in its fight against terrorism. Despite the sacrifices demanded, the resolve of the nation and its security forces continues to remain unshaken in the face of such aggression.