Four killed, 32 injured in Turbat blast

At least four people were killed and 32 others injured in a blast in Turbat, Balochistan, on Saturday, according to local police.

Authorities confirmed that five of the injured individuals are in critical condition, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear.

Among the injured was Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zohaib Mohsin, head of the Serious Crime Wing, as well as six members of his family, all of whom were passing through the area during the explosion.

Police reported that the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The victims have been identified as Noor Khan, Abdul Wahab, Ijaz, and Liaquat Ali, all of whom were civilians from different parts of Balochistan.

According to security sources, the attack highlights the BLA’s continued targeting of civilians, with more than 100 innocent lives lost to the group’s violence in the past year alone.

Balochistan has witnessed a significant number of fatalities related to violence, with 782 deaths recorded in 2024, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies' Annual Security Report.

The blast has drawn strong condemnation from national leaders. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives, offering prayers for the injured and vowing continued efforts to combat terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori similarly condemned the violence, describing it as a brutal and senseless act targeting innocent civilians.

Security forces have vowed to continue their efforts to combat terrorism in the region.