Four Killed, 15 Injured in Bomb Attack on Police Car in South-Western Pakistan
Date
4/11/2023 8:16:03 AM
(MENAFN) On Monday, a roadside bomb exploded in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing four people and injuring 15 others. The attack targeted a police car and resulted in the deaths of two officers and two civilians, while most of the wounded were pedestrian bystanders. Babar Yousafzai, a spokesman for the provincial government, confirmed the incident and suspected the Pakistani Taliban to be responsible for the attack. However, no group has claimed responsibility yet.
The Taliban's wing in Pakistan has been conducting attacks since November when they ended a months-long ceasefire with the government. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tahrik-e-Taliban (TTP), have claimed responsibility for previous attacks in Balochistan and other regions. The group is separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban.
Balochistan has been volatile for over a decade since a conflict arose between the Pakistan government and separatists in the province demanding complete autonomy or a larger share of the province's gas and mineral resources. Provincial Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack and ordered authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the wounded.
This latest attack comes a day after the TTP shot and killed two police officers in Quetta. In that incident, one of the assailants was also killed when police returned fire after coming under attack on Sunday night. Baloch nationalists have been conducting a low-level insurgency in the gas-rich south-western province, straddling the border of Afghanistan and Iran, for over two decades. Initially, they demanded a share of the province's resources, but later initiated an insurgency for independence.
Last week, Pakistan launched a new nationwide operation to root out armed militants. The security committee said that they would launch an all-out comprehensive operation with the entire nation and government to rid the country of the menace of terrorism with renewed vigour and determination. Despite the government's efforts, Pakistan continues to face a significant security threat from armed militant groups operating in various parts of the country.
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