Quetta Explosion Injures 12, Including Two Police Officers
At least 12 people, including two police officers, were injured after an explosion occurred near a police mobile on the eastern bypass in Quetta, Balochistan, on Wednesday. The blast, suspected to have been carried out using a motorcycle laden with explosives, targeted a police vehicle.
Rescue officials discovered the wreckage of the motorcycle near the blast site, while law enforcement quickly called in a bomb disposal squad to investigate the nature of the explosion. The injured were swiftly transported to Civil Sandeman Hospital for treatment.
Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti Condemns the Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack, directing authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Bugti vowed that the terrorists responsible would be brought to justice, promising continued action against such attacks.
Recent Surge in Attacks
This explosion follows another incident two days prior, where a remote-controlled bomb targeted a police van guarding a convoy of foreign envoys in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack, which left one officer dead and four others injured, occurred as the diplomats were en route to Malam Jabba. Fortunately, all the envoys remained unharmed and were safely transported to Islamabad.
The frequency of violent attacks in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, has increased dramatically since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. Recent data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) highlights an alarming spike in attacks, with 59 incidents reported in August 2024, up from 38 in July. Both KP and Balochistan have borne the brunt of these attacks, with 29 and 28 incidents, respectively.
Groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam, and Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) have been implicated in the violence.
Operation Azm-e-Istehkam
In response to the rising threat of terrorism, the federal cabinet approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam earlier this year as part of a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism initiative under the National Action Plan. The operation aims to eradicate terrorism, particularly in regions like KP and Balochistan, which have seen a surge in militant activity.