Quetta bombing: 10 civilians dead, 32 injured as FC foils major terror bid

QUETTA: A suicide bombing at the Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters in Quetta on Tuesday left 10 civilians dead and more than 30 injured, while six terrorists including the suicide bomber were killed in retaliatory fire.

According to security sources, the attack occurred on Khojak Road in Model Town, where a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate of the FC headquarters. The powerful blast shattered windows of nearby buildings and caused extensive damage to parked vehicles.

Security officials said the explosion was followed by gunfire, sparking panic in the area. They confirmed that among the wounded were two security personnel and four women, with several in critical condition.

Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed that 10 people, including four women, had been killed and over 30 wounded. Many of the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta’s intensive care.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the FC soldiers for killing six attackers, including the suicide bomber, and said their courage thwarted the designs of terrorists backed by “Fitna al-Khawarij”, an Indian-sponsored proxy group. He lauded the professionalism of the troops and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly attempt to destabilise law and order.

He announced immediate financial assistance for the families of those killed and said the provincial government would bear the full cost of treatment for the wounded.

Following the attack, security was tightened across Quetta. The FC and police cordoned off the area while bomb disposal squads were placed on high alert.

An FC spokesperson confirmed that while the blast severely damaged the main gate and boundary walls, the internal installations remained safe.

Officials said the attack appeared linked to local militant groups and was part of a wider surge in terrorist strikes in recent days targeting police training centres, political gatherings and government installations in the province.

Meanwhile, the United States strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack near Quetta’s FC headquarters that resulted in many tragic deaths and injuries.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a swift recovery to those injured. The United States stands in solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism to bring its people lives free from violence and fear. We remain committed to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in Balochistan and across the nation,” said a statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad.

Security forces eliminate 31 Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

On September 24, security forces killed 13 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail Khan, the military’s media wing said earlier.

According to ISPR, the militants belonged to Fitna al-Khawarij and were engaged in targeted killings, suicide bombings and abductions.

On a tip-off, troops raided the Daraban area where the militants were hiding and a heavy exchange of fire ensued taht resulted in the killing of 13 terrorists.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site. The ISPR had noted that the group had facilitated a December 2023 suicide bombing in Daraban and was responsible for killing government officials and civilians.

The military reiterated its resolve to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan, stressing that groups such as TTP and allied outfits would now be formally referred to as Khawarij.