Multiple Explosions in Balochistan: Wave of Insurgent Attacks Creates Panic Without Casualties

No deaths were reported in the recent wave of explosions in Balochistan. (File)

Karachi:

Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province has experienced a series of at least seven explosions within a 24-hour period. While no fatalities occurred, two security guards working for a construction company sustained injuries. The suspected insurgent attacks took place in both the provincial capital Quetta and Dera Murad Jamali.

On Saturday, insurgents targeted a police checkpoint in Quetta with hand grenades. This was followed by the detonation of an IED near a vehicle belonging to the Anti-Terrorism Department. Three additional explosions occurred later that evening.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Asif Khan, one blast occurred near Lohr Karez on Quetta's outskirts, destroying the main railway line connecting Quetta to other regions of Pakistan. The incident spread fear and panic throughout the capital, though fortunately no casualties were reported.

SSP Khan explained that perpetrators had planted IED devices on the railway track, detonating them when a train was scheduled to arrive at Quetta station. The explosion damaged the track significantly, forcing authorities to suspend railway traffic.

In Dera Murad Jamali, attackers threw hand grenades at a patrolling police vehicle. Additionally, SSP Khan reported that armed individuals attacked a construction company site on Quetta's Sariab road with hand grenades, damaging machinery and wounding two security guards.

No organization immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday's incidents. However, insurgent activities resumed Sunday morning when motorcycle-riding attackers threw two hand grenades at Manzoor Shaheed police station in Quetta. One device exploded while bomb disposal experts later defused the second.

Attackers also targeted a police patrol post in Quetta's Kech Beg area with hand grenades.