ISLAMABAD: A powerful improvised explosive device planted under a bridge detonated on Thursday, targeting a police armoured vehicle in Surab district of Balochistan, martyring one police official and severely damaging the vehicle.
The blast occurred on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway near Al-Harameen Hotel as the armoured vehicle was passing over the bridge during routine movement. The deceased officer has been identified as Khalil Ahmed, a resident of Surab, who was killed instantly in the explosion. Preliminary investigations by police and bomb disposal experts indicate the device was an IED strategically placed beneath the structure to maximise impact on passing security vehicles.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion rattled nearby shops and buildings, shattering glass windows and causing widespread panic among local residents and travellers on the busy highway. The armoured vehicle sustained heavy structural damage, rendering it temporarily inoperable, while partial damage was also inflicted on the bridge itself, raising concerns over its immediate safety for traffic.
This incident marks yet another targeted attack on law enforcement personnel in Balochistan, a province that has long grappled with insurgency and separatist violence. Security analysts note that such roadside bombings, particularly those involving IEDs hidden under bridges or roads, remain a favoured tactic of militant groups seeking to ambush convoys with minimal risk to themselves.
The Balochistan Liberation Army and similar outfits have historically employed these methods to disrupt security operations and highlight their presence in the region. While no group immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday’s blast, the modus operandi aligns with patterns observed in previous attacks across the province.
Police officials confirmed that a bomb disposal squad was promptly deployed to the site to collect forensic evidence and determine the type and weight of the explosive used. Early assessments suggest it was a remotely detonated or pressure-activated IED, designed to exploit the vulnerability of vehicles crossing elevated structures.
The attack comes amid heightened security challenges in Balochistan, where multiple violent incidents have been reported in recent months. In late January and early February 2026, coordinated assaults by militants across several districts resulted in significant casualties among civilians and security forces, prompting large-scale counter-operations that reportedly neutralised hundreds of insurgents.
Thursday’s blast also coincides with other violence in the province on the same day, including a tragic cylinder explosion in Chaman that claimed multiple lives, underscoring the fragile law and order situation. Authorities have intensified patrols and intelligence gathering along major highways to prevent similar ambushes.
Condemnation of the attack has been swift from political quarters. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri described the blast as a cowardly act that not only claimed a precious life but also damaged public infrastructure, spreading fear among citizens. She called for a transparent investigation and swift justice against the perpetrators.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation in surrounding areas to identify and apprehend those involved in planting the device. Officials emphasised that such targeted killings of police personnel aim to undermine state authority and morale among security forces deployed in the region.
Balochistan’s strategic location, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has made it a focal point for various militant activities, including separatist demands for greater resource control and autonomy. Security forces continue to face asymmetric threats, with IED attacks accounting for a substantial portion of casualties in recent years.
The martyrdom of Khalil Ahmed serves as a grim reminder of the risks borne by police officials maintaining law and order in volatile districts. Tributes poured in for the fallen officer, with colleagues and local leaders praising his dedication to duty.
Authorities have assured the public that efforts to stabilise the province remain unwavering, with enhanced coordination between police, levies, and military units. Investigations into the blast are ongoing, and any breakthroughs in identifying the network behind it are expected to be shared in due course.
This latest incident highlights the persistent security dilemma in Balochistan, where despite military operations and development initiatives, militant groups continue to exploit terrain advantages for hit-and-run tactics. Sustained peace will require addressing both immediate threats and underlying socio-economic grievances that fuel unrest.