ISLAMABAD: A devastating improvised explosive device blast in Panjgurdistrict of Balochistan claimed one life and injured sixteen others onMonday, underscoring the persistent threat of militancy as Pakistangrapples with a sharp rise in terrorist activities entering the new year.The incident, which targeted civilians in a bustling bazaar, has raisedconcerns about security in the restive province, where such attacks havebecome increasingly frequent despite intensified counter-operations.
Local authorities confirmed that the IED was concealed in a parkedmotorbike near a pushcart in the main market area. Panjgur AssistantCommissioner Amir Jan stated that three of the injured remain in seriouscondition, while two children are also among the victims receivingtreatment. Fortunately, a passing Frontier Corps vehicle, believed to bethe intended target, escaped unharmed with all personnel safe.
Police officials indicated that the explosion was triggered remotely,suggesting sophisticated planning by perpetrators. A senior administrationofficial, speaking anonymously, revealed that the motorbike wasstrategically positioned to maximise civilian casualties when detonated.This tactic aligns with patterns observed in recent militant operations,where security forces’ convoys are primary targets but public spaces bearthe brunt.
The attack comes against the backdrop of a troubling escalation innationwide violence. According to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies’annual report, Pakistan recorded 699 terrorist attacks in 2025, marking a34 per cent increase from the previous year. Terrorism-related fatalitiesrose by 21 per cent, totalling at least 1,034 deaths and 1,366 injuries,highlighting a persistent upward trajectory since 2021.
Over 95 per cent of these incidents were concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwaand Balochistan, with the latter witnessing 254 attacks that resulted in419 deaths and 607 injuries. In Balochistan, militant groups have evolvedtheir strategies, employing more complex and lethal methods, includingcoordinated assaults that challenge state authority in remote districtslike Panjgur.
Despite a record number of militants neutralised in operations, the burdenof violence has disproportionately affected security personnel, whoaccounted for over 42 per cent of fatalities. Civilian casualties,including vulnerable groups such as children in Monday’s blast, continue tomount, eroding public confidence in safety measures.
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This latest incident in Panjgur serves as a stark reminder of theregionalised nature of the conflict, fuelled by cross-border dynamics andlocal grievances. As investigations proceed, authorities face mountingpressure to address root causes while enhancing intelligence and protectivemeasures in high-risk areas.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1965269/1-killed-16-injured-in-panjgur-ied-attack
Tags: Balochistan, Panjgur, Frontier Corps, Pak Institute for Peace Studiesogimageimage-name