Car Bombing in Quetta, Pakistan Kills At Least 10
A powerful car bomb exploded outside the headquarters of Pakistan’s paramilitary security forces in Quetta on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people and injuring 30 others. The attack targeted the Frontier Constabulary headquarters in the southwestern city of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.
Details of the Attack
According to police reports, as many as six militants inside the car exited the vehicle and engaged security forces in an intense shootout before detonating the bomb. All six attackers were reportedly killed during the confrontation. Residents reported hearing the blast from miles away, indicating the significant power of the explosion. Ambulances rushed to the scene to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
Mohammad Usman, a local resident, described the impact of the blast: "The windowpanes of my house shattered, and part of the building was damaged, but thanks to God we are all safe." He also reported hearing gunfire after the initial explosion. CCTV footage confirmed a car stopping in front of the paramilitary compound gate before an explosion, followed by gunfire.
Response and Condemnation
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on separatists who frequently target civilians and security forces in Balochistan, a region plagued by insurgency. Provincial health minister Bakhat Kakar warned that the death toll could potentially rise. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that six attackers were involved and were all killed by security forces.
In response to the attack, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and praised the security forces for their swift response. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also condemned the attack, stating, "Terrorists cannot break the nation’s resolve through cowardly acts, and the sacrifices of our people and security forces will not go in vain." He reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring peace and security in the province.
Context of Insurgency in Balochistan
This attack follows a recent suicide bombing outside a stadium near Quetta, which killed at least 13 people. Balochistan has long been the site of an ongoing insurgency. Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army, who are outlawed, are demanding independence from the central government. These separatists have largely targeted security forces and civilians in the region. The insurgency is considered a brutal fight between the country's security forces and the separatists.
