- Security forces swiftly responded and eliminate four militants while CM Bugti says operation continues
- Emergency declared and all Quetta hospitals put on high alert to treat casualties, Health Minister confirms toll
- Condemnations pour in — President, PM, UN, US and Russia denounce ‘heinous act of terror’
QUETTA: At least 10 people were martyred and 32 injured on Tuesday when a powerful bomb blast ripped through a busy street near the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Quetta, officials said.
The security forces acted swiftly after the attack, killing four terrorists.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed the toll, saying those killed also included paramilitary personnel. “Ten people have been killed while 32 were injured in the blast. Six of the wounded are in critical condition,” he told reporters, adding that the injured had been shifted to the Civil Hospital and Trauma Centre.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Operations Muhammad Baloch said the explosion occurred when a vehicle turned from Model Town towards Hali Road, close to the FC headquarters. Civil Lines SHO Ameen Jaffar separately confirmed that eight bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital immediately after the blast.
Speaking to Reuters, Minister Kakar said the attack “definitely targeted the FC headquarters.”
Attackers Eliminated in Swift response
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, terming it a “terrorist act” aimed at destabilizing the province. In a post on X, he said the swift response of security forces “eliminated four terrorists” and thwarted a larger tragedy.
وزیر اعلیٰ بلوچستان میر سرفراز بگٹی کی کوئٹہ دھماکے کی شدید مذمت۔
واقعہ کے بعد سیکورٹی فورسز نے فوری اور مؤثر ردعمل دیا، سیکورٹی فورسز نے چار دہشتگردوں کو جہنم واصل کیا۔ دہشت گرد بزدلانہ کارروائیوں سے قوم کا حوصلہ پست نہیں کرسکتے۔ عوام اور سکیورٹی اداروں کی قربانیاں رائیگاں نہیں…
— Govt. of Balochistan (@dpr_gob) September 30, 2025
“Cowardly acts cannot weaken the nation’s resolve. We remain committed to making Balochistan peaceful and secure,” he added, expressing solidarity with victims’ families.
Later, during an event in Quetta, the chief minister confirmed that “an operation against the terrorists is underway.”
Emergency declared
Following the explosion, the provincial Health Department imposed an emergency in all major hospitals of the capital. “All consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses, and paramedical staff have been directed to remain on duty,” Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman said.
During a hospital visit, Minister Kakar told media that “a major terrorist plot was planned” and reiterated that most of the injured were civilians.
Rising militancy
The assault is the latest in a wave of militant attacks that has gripped Balochistan in recent months. Authorities say insurgent outfits such as the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have stepped up assaults on security forces, adopting new tactics to inflict higher casualties.
Officials warn that the strike near the FC headquarters represents not just an attack on state institutions but a broader attempt to destabilize the province.
Condemnations pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “suicide attack” carried out by “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term used for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He alleged that the attack was part of “India’s agenda” to undermine Pakistan’s stability. Commending the security forces for their timely response, he prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also hailed the security forces for killing the attackers, describing them as “terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan.” He vowed that the state would mete out “exemplary punishment” to those threatening Pakistan’s security.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی کوئٹہ میں دہشتگرد حملے میں فتنہ الہندوستان کے دہشتگردوں کو جہنم واصل کرنے پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کی پذیرائی
وزیراعظم کی حملے میں زخمی ہونے والے اہلکاروں اور شہریوں کے لیے جلد از جلد صحتیا بی کی دعا”معصوم اور نہتے شہریوں کی جان و مال کو نقصان پہنچانے… pic.twitter.com/y5mf0J4LBm
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 30, 2025
International condemnations followed swiftly. The United States Embassy in Islamabad termed the blast a “heinous act of violence,” expressing condolences to victims’ families and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. The Russian Embassy also denounced the attack, urging that those responsible be “brought to justice.”
The United States strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack near Quetta’s FC headquarters that resulted in many tragic deaths and injuries. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a swift recovery to those injured. The United States stands…
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) September 30, 2025
پاکستان میں روسی سفارت خانہ کوئٹہ میں ہونے والے دہشت گرد حملے کی سخت مذمت کرتا ہے۔
ہم اس بات پر زور دیتے ہیں کہ دہشت گردی کی ہر شکل اور ہر پہلو سے نمٹنا ناگزیر ہے اور امید کرتے ہیں کہ اس حملے کے منصوبہ سازوں اور اس میں ملوث عناصر کو شناخت کر کے انصاف کے کٹہرے میں لایا جائے گا۔… pic.twitter.com/lKjq1ZR5CM
— Embassy of Russia in Pakistan (@RusEmbPakistan) September 30, 2025
At the United Nations, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq condemned the Quetta bombing during the regular briefing in New York, declaring: “We condemn all acts of terrorism including what happened in Pakistan today.”
Ongoing threat
The deadly assault underscores the fragile security situation in Balochistan, where both civilians and security personnel remain frequent targets of extremist groups. Authorities say the recent rise in attacks reflects insurgents’ determination to destabilize the region even as Pakistan intensifies counter-terror operations.
As hospitals in Quetta continued to treat the wounded late Tuesday, officials stressed that the fight against militancy would go on. “The sacrifices of the people and security forces will not go in vain,” CM Bugti vowed.
