The city of Quetta, in the Pakistani province of Balochistan, was the scene on Tuesday of a terrorist attack with a car bomb that left an initial toll of ten dead and at least 32 injured. The detonation occurred near the headquarters of the Frontier Corps, causing panic in the area.
The provincial Health Minister, Bajt Muhamad Kakar, confirmed the victims, while local police indicated that, after the explosion, a shootout was reported between security forces and the strikers.
Official reaction and condemnation of terrorism
Balochistan's Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, described the incident as a "terrorist attack" and stated that four of those responsible were killed in a "quick and effective response." Through a statement, he emphasized that "the terrorists won't be able to weaken the nation's solve through cowardly acts".
Pakistán: al menos 10 muertos tras un atentado terrorista a un edificio gubernamental
The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, also condemned the attack and pointed to "India-sponsored terrorists" as masterminds, referring to the group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as the Pakistani Taliban, although so far the organization hasn't claimed responsibility for the attack.
Health emergency in Quetta
Due to the magnitude of the attack, the provincial government declared an emergency in all hospitals in Quetta. The Health Secretary, Mujeebur Rehman, ordered that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedical staff remain on duty at care centers to assist the victims.
The injured were mainly taken to the Balochistan Medical College Hospital and the Trauma Center, which are operating at the limit of their capacity.
Pakistán: al menos 10 muertos tras un atentado terrorista a un edificio gubernamental
Context of violence in Balochistan
Balochistan is the largest province and richest in natural resources in Pakistan, but also the poorest and most affected by decades of separatist insurgency.
Violence has intensified in recent years, especially against Chinese investment projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), considered by separatists as a form of "economic colonialism." In March, an alliance of insurgent factions announced an increase in attacks against Pakistani forces and Chinese interests.
In September, a bomb placed on a passenger train in Balochistan left several injured, showing the ongoing escalation of violence in the region.
