Bomb Blast Near Jabbar Market in Balochistan Kills 4, Injures 20
4 killed, 20 injured in blast in Pakistan's Balochistan province
The blast occurred near Jabbar Market in Killa Abdullah district of Balochistan on Sunday (May 18, 2025), causing extensive damage to the building. A car bomb exploded near a market in Pakistan's restive southwest, killing four people and wounding 20 others, a government official said Monday. The attack occurred Sunday night in Qillah Abdullah, a city in Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan, said Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Riaz.
The blast also damaged the outer wall of a nearby building housing paramilitary forces, he said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.
However, suspicion is likely to fall on ethnic Baloch separatists, who frequently target security forces and civilians in Balochistan and other parts of the country.
Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, condemned the bombing and said an investigation is underway.
Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency in Pakistan, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019.
Location: Jabbar Market, Killa Abdullah District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Casualties: 4 dead, 20 injured (including civilians and security personnel)
Details of the Attack:
A powerful explosion occurred near Jabbar Market, adjacent to a Frontier Corps (FC) fort, causing significant structural damage.
The blast triggered collapsed shops, fires, and panic in the busy commercial area.
Following the explosion, gunfire erupted between unidentified attackers and FC personnel.
Authorities sealed the area and launched search operations to apprehend suspects.
Victims & Response:
Among the injured was a security guard of tribal elder Haji Faizullah Khan Ghabizai, along with bystanders.
Killa Abdullah Deputy Commissioner Riaz Khan confirmed the casualties and emphasized ongoing investigations.
Days earlier, 4 Levies personnel were killed in a check-post attack in Khuzdar’s Nal area.
Balochistan’s Unrest:
Ethnic Baloch groups allege resource exploitation by the federal government, fueling a two-decade-long insurgency.
Attacks are frequently claimed by separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) or militant factions (e.g., TTP, ISIS).
Security Challenges:
The province hosts CPEC projects, making it a hotspot for attacks targeting infrastructure and security forces.
Key Questions:
Responsibility: No group has claimed the attack yet, but suspicion falls on Baloch separatists or anti-state militants.
Pattern: The blast near an FC facility suggests a targeted strike against security forces, a common tactic in the region.
Official & Regional Reactions:
Local officials condemned the attack, vowing to intensify counter-terror operations.
The incident underscores escalating volatility in Balochistan amid stalled peace talks and increased militant activity.
Why This Matters:
Balochistan’s instability threatens Pakistan’s economic corridor (CPEC) and regional security. Persistent violence highlights the state’s struggle to balance military crackdowns with addressing Baloch grievances over political autonomy and resource sharing.
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