At least four Pakistani troops were killed in a fatal explosion in the capital of Balochistan, Quetta, local police said. The explosion on Thursday was triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) and hit a patrol of Frontier Corps troops, a federal paramilitary force responsible for keeping the region secure.
The assault also injured three soldiers, with the authorities verifying the casualties. The attack was another bout of violence in Balochistan, a province long beset by an insurgency that seeks independence. The Baloch nationalist movements have long blamed Pakistan for looting the province’s rich natural resources while disregarding the interests of its citizens. The conflict has been on for decades with stories of military atrocities as well as innumerable civilians murdered or disappearing under unclear conditions.
Balochistan is still a restive province, and these kinds of attacks have been on the rise. Based on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, fatalities from attacks in Pakistan have increased by 45 percent over the last year. The recent blast is one of the mounting security concerns in the nation, especially following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which has raised tensions between India and Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denounced the attack as a “heinous conspiracy” to destabilize Pakistan. He also paid tribute to the martyrdom of the dead soldiers, saying, “These valiant sons of the soil have given their life in the cause of peace in Balochistan. Their bravery and dedication will always be remembered with pride and gratitude.”
While the tensions remain elevated in the area, the episode also serves to highlight the volatile security climate prevailing in Pakistan, where local separatist insurgency as well as extra-regional geopolitics is fostering instability.
