Deadly Blast in Quetta: Senior Pakistani Army Officer Killed, Protests Continue in Balochistan

International News: Major Anwar Kakar, a senior officer of the Pakistan Army, was killed in a bomb explosion in Quetta on Saturday evening. The attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group active in the region.

Magnetic Bomb Targets Army Vehicle

The explosion took place near the busy Jinnah Road area. According to early reports, the attackers used a magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) to target the vehicle. CCTV footage showed two men on a motorcycle placing the magnetic device on the army vehicle. Within moments, the device detonated, instantly killing Major Kakar at the scene. He was serving in the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) unit of the Army’s 12 Corps.

Attack Planned by BLA’s Intelligence Wing

The BLA later claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was a planned operation based on precise intelligence gathered by their internal unit, Zirab. The Balochistan Post reported that no one else was injured or killed in the blast apart from Major Kakar.

Protests Continue for Fourth Day

Meanwhile, protests in Balochistan have continued for the fourth straight day, with families of the missing and members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee holding a peaceful sit-in. They are demanding justice and the safe return of their loved ones who have allegedly been forcibly disappeared. They allege that many people have been abducted by Pakistani security forces without any legal process.

Authorities Try to Suppress Demonstrations

Pakistani authorities have stepped up efforts to control the protests. Roads leading to the protest site have been sealed, and people are being stopped from joining the sit-in. Protesters are not being allowed to set up tents or shelters, forcing them to sit under the open sky, despite harsh weather conditions like rain and extreme heat.

Peace in Balochistan Still Distant

This latest attack and the ongoing protests have once again drawn attention to the unrest in Balochistan. While the government continues to label such groups as terrorists, locals say they are fighting for their rights and justice. The situation remains tense, with no immediate solution in sight.