Singapore News -- A suicide bomb attack occurred at a border defense headquarters in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday (September 30), resulting in at least 10 deaths, 33 injuries, and five attackers killed in the crossfire.
The attack occurred in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, resulting in the deaths of six civilians and four soldiers. At the time of the incident, a pickup truck loaded with explosives drove into the border defense headquarters and detonated. Several gunmen then broke in and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the stationed paramilitary forces.
Governor Bugti pointed out that the security forces killed four attackers in the crossfire. After the investigation, it was found that most of the victims were passengers from a bus and a rickshaw passing by the scene at that time; The injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment, some of whom are in critical condition.
Quetta is the capital of the long turbulent Balochistan province, located on the border with Afghanistan and Iran. The province is rich in mineral resources. There is Gwadar Port, which is built by China. As one of the core projects of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, it is an important investment node under the the Belt and Road Initiative.
Pakistani authorities have found that most of the victims were passengers on a bus and a tricycle passing by the scene at the time. (Reuters)
In recent months, both Islamic radical organizations and separatist rebel groups active in the region have increased their attacks. In 2024, violent incidents in the region resulted in 782 deaths.
The Pakistan Peace Research Institute reported that there were 521 terrorist attacks in the country in 2024 and 567 this year. Most violent incidents are limited to the border areas of Afghanistan.
A senior administrative official stationed in Upper South Waziristan told Agence France Presse that an explosion occurred in the northwest of the country on Monday night, resulting in the death of nine soldiers.
It is understood that separatists often target Pakistani security forces and projects related to Chinese nationals, claiming to fight for their rightful share of local resources; Islamic radical organizations aim to overthrow the current government and establish strict religious governance.
As of now, no organization has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
The Pakistani government accuses these armed groups of receiving support from arch rival India to incite violence in the region, posing security risks to international investment efforts in mineral exploration and infrastructure; New Delhi firmly denies the allegations.
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