Six killed in blast in Pakistan's Balochistan: officials

At least six people, including paramilitary troops, were killed and more than 25 injured Saturday in a bombing targeting a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, officials said.

The attack occurred approximately seven kilometers (four miles) west of Turbat city as the bus carrying FC troops traveled from Karachi to Turbat, senior police official Rashid-ur-Rehman told AFP.

"At least six people, including FC soldiers and civilians, were killed in a bomb attack on a bus," he said, adding that more than 25 were injured.

A senior security official confirmed to AFP that the incident appeared to be a suicide bombing aimed at the paramilitary troops.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Jeeyand Baloch, the group’s spokesperson, stated that the bombing targeted a Pakistani army convoy.

The BLA has been active in Balochistan, often targeting security forces and non-Baloch residents. The group also opposes foreign-led energy projects, accusing external parties of exploiting the region’s resources while neglecting its residents.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most impoverished province, has been plagued by ethnic, sectarian, and separatist violence for decades.

The region, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has seen frequent attacks, including assaults on Chinese-financed infrastructure projects.

Saturday’s bombing follows a string of deadly attacks in 2024. The military reported 383 soldiers and 925 militants killed in clashes this year.

In recent months, Balochistan has faced escalating violence. In November, a bombing at Quetta’s main railway station killed 26 people, including 14 soldiers. In August, a coordinated BLA assault left 39 dead in one of the year’s deadliest attacks.

Efforts to counter the insurgency continue, but violence remains a persistent challenge in the resource-rich yet conflict-ridden province.