A deadly explosion targeted a police vehicle in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Tuesday, resulting in the martyrdom of three Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel and injuries to at least 16 others.
The blast occurred in the Shamsabad area, where an improvised explosive device (IED) was used to strike a vehicle transporting security personnel from Kalat via the RTC route.
Following the attack, emergency protocols were activated at Bolan Medical Complex and Civil Hospital. According to a Balochistan government spokesperson, the injured were being moved to Quetta for treatment, with two reportedly in critical condition.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, upon receiving reports of the incident, instructed Health Minister Bakht Kakar to personally monitor the treatment of the injured. He ordered the provision of optimal medical care and emphasized that no negligence in treatment would be tolerated. “The provincial government stands firmly with the families of the martyrs,” he stated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. He reiterated the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism, declaring that the fight against such elements would continue until the threat was entirely neutralized.
This attack comes amid a rising trend in militancy, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—both bordering Afghanistan—which have borne the brunt of increasing violence in recent months.
Despite the grim nature of the attack, recent data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) suggests a shift in the overall security dynamics in the country. For the first time in 12 years, militant and insurgent casualties in Q1 2025 surpassed those of civilians and security forces.
CRSS reported a total of 897 fatalities and 542 injuries from 354 violence-related incidents during the first quarter. This marks a 13% decline in overall violence compared to Q4 2024, which recorded 1,028 fatalities.
Nonetheless, Balochistan accounted for 35% of all fatalities during the period and witnessed a 15% rise in violence compared to the previous quarter. The combined casualties of civilians and security forces (402 deaths) were about 19% lower than the number of outlaws killed (495), indicating intensified counterterror efforts.
If current trends persist, experts warn that Pakistan could see over 3,600 fatalities by the end of 2025—potentially making it one of the deadliest years in recent history. Evolving tactics such as the hijacking of the Jaffar Express point to a bold shift in militant strategies.
