A devastating explosion ripped through a passenger bus and a police van travelling from Karachi to Turbat on Saturday, leaving at least five Frontier Corps officials dead and 56 injured. The blast occurred in the New Bahman area, a suburb of Turbat.
The bus was carrying at least 35 passengers with initial reports saying most of the affected were security officials.
The moment the explosion decimated the bus while travelling was also caught on a CCTV camera.
According to Balochistan police spokesperson Rabia Tariq, the nature of the explosion is still under investigation. Rabia confirmed the casualties and stated that the injured were transported to a nearby hospital, with five listed in critical condition. Another 20 injured were discharged after medical aid while 31 are said to be in stable condition.
Police and security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.
Among those caught in the blast was Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zohaib Mohsin, who was travelling to Turbat with six members of his family. Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind reported that SSP Mohsin and four family members sustained minor injuries.
The banned militant group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement soon after the incident. BLA claimed that the attack was a suicide bombing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing, offering condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. He reiterated the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and vowed to eliminate the threat from Pakistan.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarafaraz Bugti expressed ‘deep grief and sorrow’ over the lives lost in the incident and added that those involved in the attack do not deserve to be called ‘human beings’.
Arrangements are being made to transport the deceased to their native areas, while medical assistance is being provided to the injured, with critically injured individuals being transferred to hospitals in other cities.
Balochistan has seen a clear surge in terrorist attacks in recent months. A recent study by the Center for Research and Security Studies said year 2024 was the deadliest in terms of terrorist attacks in the last decade.
The study said 444 attacks took place last year and claimed the lives of 1,612 civilians and security personnel. The highest number of people killed was in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1,616) followed by 782 in Balochistan.
