Pakistan: IED blast in Khuzdar leaves four dead, five hurt

Naal police Station House Officer (SHO) Bahawal Khan Pindrani confirmed the casualties to Dawn News, saying that the condition of one of the injured was serious.

The SHO said the explosive was attached to a motorcycle and detonated remotely after the bike was parked beside a car.

Bomb disposal squad arrived at the spot later and inspected it.

The injured people were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Khuzdar Senior Superintendent of Police Javed Zehri told Dawn News the blast occurred near a college in the market’s vicinity and burnt vehicles too.

CM condemns

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident.

“Terrorism will be eradicated in all its forms,” CM Bugti was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

“Elements hostile to peace will fail in their nefarious objectives and those involved in this incident will be brought to justice," the CM said.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind also condemned the blast and “regretted the loss of human life”.

“Terrorist elements cannot demoralise the people,” Rind said. “Cowardly acts are a conspiracy to sabotage law and order.”

Bannu attack

The blast occurred just days after the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was targeted by terrorists.

According to reports, the terrorists rammed two exp­losives-laden vehicles into the perimeter.

At least 16 terrorists were eliminated by security forces, and five soldiers were also killed during the attack.

Pakistan has been witnessing a spike in terror attacks since 2022 after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November of that year.

The recent attacks are taking place in the country at a time when Pakistan is hosting the Champions Trophy, an ICC event.

It is the first time Pakistan is hosting an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.

Foreign teams were not visiting Pakistan after the gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009.

India, however, refused to travel to Pakistan to play the 50-over tournament.

The country, which will play the final against New Zealand, played all its matches in Dubai.