Two police officers were killed on Saturday in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province after a roadside bomb targeted their vehicle, as militant attacks continue to rise in the region. The explosion occurred in the Kuchlak area near Quetta, the provincial capital, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Baloch.
Initially, one officer was killed, and another was seriously injured. However, the second officer later succumbed to his injuries. The attack involved an improvised explosive device (IED) and was aimed directly at the police vehicle.
Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan, has long faced a separatist insurgency led by ethnic Baloch militants who accuse the central government of exploiting the region’s abundant natural resources. The province’s strategic importance is heightened by the presence of major projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes a key port and extensive mining operations.
In recent weeks, militant attacks have surged, with over 50 fatalities reported from coordinated assaults. In response, Pakistani security forces have launched operations to suppress insurgent activity, resulting in multiple militant deaths.
The Baloch insurgency has a deep-rooted history, with several uprisings since Pakistan’s formation in 1947. The current wave of conflict began in 2003, and groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have escalated their campaigns against security forces and state infrastructure. The violence has led to worsening security conditions across Balochistan.
While the Pakistani government has pledged to address the grievances of the Baloch people, accusations of human rights abuses and harsh military crackdowns have fueled further resentment in the region.
