Pakistan: Bomb blast in Quetta kills at least 10; govt says 32 injured

At least 10 people were killed and 32 injured on Tuesday (Sept 30) when a bomb exploded on a busy street in Balochistan’s Quetta, Pakistan, Dawn reported, citing provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar.

“Thirty-two injured have been taken to the Civil Hospital and Trauma Centre,” Kakar told Dawn.

Emergency declared in hospitals after blast

Following the blast, the Balochistan Health Department declared an emergency in hospitals across the provincial capital, according to Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman.

“An emergency has been declared at Quetta Civil Hospital, BMC Hospital Quetta, and the Trauma Centre,” Rehman said, adding that all consultants, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and paramedical staff had been directed to remain on duty.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the deadly blast.

‘Occurred as an explosive-laden vehicle took a turn’

“The blast occurred as an explosive-laden vehicle took a turn from Model Town towards Hali Road, near the Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters,” said Muhammad Baloch, SSP special operations Quetta. The explosion was reportedly heard miles away, and ambulances rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals.

Fresh rise of attacks in Pakistan

The blast comes amid a fresh rise of violence and tensions in the region as well as in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a Pakistan Air Force strike destroyed a village, killing civilians. On September 3, a suicide bombing at a political rally in Quetta killed 11 people and injured more than 40. The attack took place in a stadium car park where hundreds of Balochistan National Party (BNP) supporters had gathered.

Past history: Insurgency in Balochistan and Paki’s human rights abuses

Pakistani forces have battled a decade-long insurgency in Balochistan, with 782 people killed in 2024. In March, the Baloch Liberation Army seized a train, killing off-duty troops.

Since January, over 430 people, mostly security personnel, have died in attacks.