Rising Death Toll After Quetta Blast
The death toll from a suicide bombing near the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Quetta has climbed to 12, after two critically injured victims succumbed to their wounds in hospital.
According to medical officials at the city’s trauma center, 24 injured individuals have been discharged following treatment, while eight remain under medical care. Among the patients still in hospital, at least two are reported to be in critical condition, including a woman.
The attack, which shook one of Quetta’s most sensitive areas, occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Model Town, a residential district located in the eastern part of the city.
The Attack and Its Immediate Aftermath
Witnesses said the explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows in nearby buildings and sent a wave of panic through the neighbourhood. The sound of the blast was heard several kilometers away.
Initially, officials confirmed 10 fatalities and 33 injuries, but the toll rose as more victims died in hospital.
Security sources reported that the suicide bomber was disguised in a Frontier Corps uniform. He was accompanied by five armed militants who attempted to storm the FC headquarters. However, security forces quickly retaliated, killing all six attackers, including the bomber.
Two FC personnel sustained injuries in the firefight that followed.
Responsibility and Claim
Authorities stated that the attack was claimed by a militant group calling itself “Fitnat al-Hind”, an organisation that has surfaced in recent years and has been blamed for a series of low-intensity attacks in Balochistan. The group’s stated objective, according to regional analysts, is to destabilise Pakistan through urban terrorism, particularly targeting security installations.
Heavy Casualties Prevented
Officials believe the prompt response by FC personnel prevented an even greater tragedy. Had the militants managed to penetrate deeper into the compound, casualties could have been significantly higher.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos as rescue teams rushed to the site. Thick smoke billowed over the area as ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Forensic Findings and Weapons Recovery
Preliminary investigations suggest that 25 to 30 kilograms of explosives were used in the suicide vest. Security personnel also recovered a cache of weapons from the attackers, including 15 hand grenades and several automatic rifles.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed near Pishin Stop, a busy area not far from the blast site, captured footage of the incident and its aftermath. The footage has been handed over to investigators.
Case Registered Under Terrorism Charges
Police confirmed that a case has been registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station under multiple charges, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, murder, attempted murder, and possession of illegal arms.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt for possible facilitators of the attackers. Investigators are examining whether the militants had local support networks in Quetta or arrived from outside the province.
Balochistan’s Troubled Security Landscape
Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, has long been a flashpoint for violence. The region has witnessed frequent attacks by separatist outfits, sectarian militants, and extremist groups targeting both civilians and security forces.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, Balochistan recorded over 400 terrorism-related incidents in 2023, making it one of the most violence-prone provinces in the country. Many of these attacks have targeted security checkpoints, police convoys, and military installations.
The Frontier Corps, which is responsible for maintaining security across the province, has often been on the front line of such attacks.
Government Response and Public Reaction
The government condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to undermine Pakistan’s security apparatus. Senior officials vowed that the perpetrators and their facilitators would be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, local residents expressed both grief and frustration. Quetta, already grappling with economic hardship and limited infrastructure, has been living under a shadow of insecurity for years. Many residents worry that the persistence of such attacks discourages investment and disrupts daily life.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities have not disclosed whether the attackers had prior intelligence monitoring. However, investigators are piecing together information from mobile data, CCTV footage, and forensic analysis.
As security remains tightened across Quetta, the city has returned to a state of uneasy calm, with checkpoints and patrols visible across major routes.
