At least 7 security officials were martyred after three back-to-back explosions targeted Frontier Corps (FC) and police check posts in Quetta on Tuesday. At least five policemen were martyred and seven others were injured when a suicide bomber targeted a police van on Airport Road in Quetta on Tuesday evening, military’s media wing said. Two suicide bombers also tried to attack a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpost in Quetta’s Mian Ghundi area, however, the FC personnel killed the attackers following an exchange of fire before they could explode their suicide vests, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The targeted attacks against the law enforcement agencies have been on the rise in the city. On the one side security officials and on the other people from Hazara community seem to be the main targets of terrorists. Two people from the Hazara community were shot dead by identified armed men on Sunday near the Western Bypass in Quetta. According to a report, violence has driven as many as 200,000 Hazaras to relocate to other major cities of Pakistan or move abroad. In January this year, at least seven people were killed on Quetta’s Zarghoon Road when a suicide bomber rammed into a parked police truck, injuring 16 people. Balochistan has faced a number of security challenges in recent months, with security personnel in the province often being targeted in roadside explosions and suicide attacks. Last year also witnessed number of terrorist attacks that resulted in the death of dozens of security officials.
Balochistan has been experiencing incidents of violence and targeted killings for over a decade now. Overall security situation has improved in rest of the country, but sadly provincial capital of the largest province of the country is still facing serious security challenges. The relentless attacks show that despite some success in bringing peace to the terror ravaged province, there is a lot still left to do.
Involvement anti-Pakistan agencies cannot be denied in destabilizing security situation of the province. Convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav had admitted involvement in espionage and sabotage activities that proves India’s hand in terror incidents in the province. Role of banned outfits in terrorist attacks can also not be denied. It is need of time to find out all the elements posing security challenges in Quetta. There is dire need to enhance intelligence based operations; all law enforcement agencies in the province should take strict action against terrorists. It is time to once again refresh the resolve to fight against terrorism and to implement all 20-point of National Action Plan with true letter and spirit.
The state must take immediate steps to protect the terror ravaged city.