At least nine military personnel from the Balochistan Constabulary were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Bolan on Monday. The Balochistan Constabulary department is responsible for security at essential events and volatile areas.
Thirteen others injured in the attack are being treated at the Divisional Headquarters Hospital. Three personnel wounded in the attack are in critical condition. The government has also deployed a helicopter to send the injured to Quetta.
Overview
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Kachhi Mehmood Notezai informed reporters that the security officers were returning to Sibi from Quetta when the explosion occurred on the Kambiri bridge. He highlighted that a suicide bomber on a motorcycle crashed with the police vehicle, causing the blast.
#BREAKING: Suicide Bomber on a motorcycle have targeted a Pakistani security forces convoy in Bolan #Balochistan. 9 Pakistani soldiers killed, 13 Injured. Pakistani Security personnel were returning to Quetta after performing duty at Sibi festival. pic.twitter.com/BRJAFP4wU9
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 6, 2023
The SSP added that while preliminary evidence indicated that the blast was a suicide attack, the exact nature of the incident would be determined after further investigation.
Meanwhile, a special bomb disposal team is searching the area for other explosives.
CM Condemns Incident
Balochistan’s Chief Minister (CM) Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the terrorist attack, calling it a “conspiracy” to prevent the province from “progressing by creating unrest and instability.” He extended his condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to counter the conspiracies “with the public’s support.”
BREAKING- A motorcycle borne suicide bomber targeted a police truck in Bolan, Balochistan.
— Major Amit Bansal (Veteran) (@majoramitbansal) March 6, 2023
At least 9 police personal belongings to #Balochistan Constabulary were killed while 15 others are wounded.
Police people were returning to Quetta after performing duty at Sibi festival. pic.twitter.com/UI2mVpvcdR
PM Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, which he claimed was part of a conspiracy to cause instability in the country. Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi vowed to ensure that these attempts to destabilise Pakistan were unsuccessful.
TTP Activities in the Area
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, it comes amid the deteriorating security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions that border Afghanistan. Just last week, a blast in Balochistan’s Barkhan killed 14.
Since the TTP’s ceasefire with the Pakistani government lapsed last November, the group has led several attacks in the region and across Pakistan.