- Three terrorists were killed in a retaliatory operation after the attack at Kandawa Post on N-25 in Mastung.
- Two civilians, Kaleemullah and Bibi Laiba, were martyred, and three Frontier Corps personnel were among the injured.
- The blast damaged nearby houses and a mosque, according to Balochistan Police.
- Police said operations against those undermining peace in the province will continue.
Security forces killed three terrorists on National Highway N-25 in Balochistan's Mastung district on Thursday, after an attempted attack with an explosives-laden vehicle. Two civilians were martyred and several other people were wounded.
A spokesperson for the Balochistan Police said the attackers, who belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan, targeted Kandawa Post on the highway. Police described it as a "cowardly attack".
How the attack unfolded
According to the police statement, security forces repulsed the assault through "timely and effective action". In the retaliatory operation that followed, three of the terrorists were killed.
The police added that the explosion damaged houses near the post as well as a mosque. No further details about the extent of the damage were given.
Operations against elements seeking to undermine peace, development, and prosperity in Balochistan will continue, and the protection of the lives and property of the people will be ensured under all circumstances,
Balochistan Police statement
Casualties and treatment
The police named the two martyred civilians as Kaleemullah and Bibi Laiba. Three Frontier Corps personnel were also injured in the incident.
Those wounded were shifted to medical centres for treatment. The statement did not give a total number of injured people, saying only that there were several.
Police response
The police said the attack showed that the terrorists had no connection with the people of Balochistan. They pledged that action against elements seeking to damage peace, development and prosperity would go on.
The federal government last year officially designated all militant groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan. It accuses India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits.
Timeline
- October 28Security forces kill nine terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in Kachhi and Wadh.
- November 3A soldier is martyred and 17 militants are killed in operations in Kachhi and Kharan.
- ThursdayAn explosives-laden vehicle attack on Kandawa Post, N-25, Mastung is foiled; three terrorists are killed and two civilians martyred.
Recent operations in Balochistan
The Mastung incident follows other security actions in the province. On November 3, a soldier was martyred while security forces killed 17 militants in two intelligence-based operations in the Kachhi and Kharan districts.
Earlier, on October 28, security forces killed nine terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan in two intelligence-based operations in Kachhi and Wadh districts.
According to a global conflict-monitoring organisation, the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan has risen every year since 2022. Reports describe Balochistan as a major target, with militants frequently striking convoys, abducting security personnel and civilians, and attacking security and civilian installations.
Police said operations against those seeking to undermine peace in Balochistan will continue. No other specific steps were announced.
Questions and answers
What happened on N-25 in Mastung?
Terrorists tried to attack Kandawa Post on National Highway N-25 using an explosives-laden vehicle. Security forces repulsed the attack and killed three of them.
Who were the civilian victims?
Balochistan Police identified the two martyred civilians as Kaleemullah and Bibi Laiba. Several others were injured, including three Frontier Corps personnel.
What damage did the explosion cause?
Police said the blast damaged nearby houses and a mosque.
Image: KAINAT KASI / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
