8 Killed in Deadly Car Bombing, Gunfire Attack Outside Frontier Corps HQ in Quetta, Pakistan
At least 8 people were killed in a deadly car bombing followed by gunfire outside the Frontier Corps headquarters in Quetta, Pakistan. Authorities are investigating the terrorist attack
Quetta was rattled by a powerful car bomb on Tuesday when an explosion tore through a busy street outside the Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 19, officials said.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed the toll, warning that casualties could rise, as per Pakistani publication, the Dawn.
The blast, which was heard across Model Town and adjoining areas, shattered windowpanes of homes and commercial buildings. Gunfire rang out soon after, heightening panic in the sensitive locality.
Rescue teams and police rushed to the scene, cordoning off the area as investigators sought to determine the nature of the attack. “An investigation is underway,” a senior police officer told reporters.
The injured and deceased were taken to Civil Hospital Quetta, where an emergency was declared. Similar alerts were issued for BMC Hospital and the Trauma Center on the instructions of Health Minister Kakar and Health Secretary Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. According to officials, doctors, nurses, and paramedics have been placed on emergency duty.
Residents said the explosion was so intense it was heard miles away. Ambulances ferried victims to hospitals as security personnel launched a search operation in the surrounding neighborhoods.
No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is expected to fall on separatist outfits active in insurgency-hit Balochistan. The province, of which Quetta is the capital, has long been the scene of attacks by groups such as the banned Baloch Liberation Army, which often target civilians and security forces in their campaign for independence.
According to security officials, the attack occurred when a vehicle laden with explosives detonated near the entrance of the FC compound. The powerful blast was followed by intense gunfire, reportedly involving multiple assailants armed with automatic weapons.
Initial reports confirm that 8 individuals, including security personnel and civilians, lost their lives in the coordinated assault. More than a dozen people sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, where several remain in critical condition.
Law enforcement agencies swiftly cordoned off the area, launching a search and clearance operation to eliminate any remaining threats and gather forensic evidence. Bomb disposal units and counter-terrorism personnel were also deployed to investigate the nature and composition of the explosives used.
Authorities suspect the involvement of militant groups operating in the region, although no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet. Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgent and terrorist activities, targeting both civilian and military infrastructure.
A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“This was a well-coordinated terrorist attack aimed at destabilizing peace efforts in Balochistan. Investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators and their network.”
Pakistani government leaders and military officials strongly condemned the attack. The Prime Minister issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reaffirmed the country’s resolve to fight terrorism.
“We will not let terrorists undermine our national security. The sacrifices of our brave personnel will not go in vain,” the statement read.
The Frontier Corps is a paramilitary force responsible for maintaining law and order, particularly in conflict-prone areas of Pakistan. Quetta has witnessed several similar attacks in the past, often linked to separatist groups and extremist organizations.
Following the incident, security across Quetta and other major cities in Balochistan has been significantly tightened. Checkpoints have been established, and intelligence-based operations are ongoing to prevent further attacks.
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