Explosion in Kalat, Balochistan Claims Lives

A blast in the Amiri region of Kalat district, Balochistan, resulted in at least three fatalities and left five individuals wounded, according to statements released by Levies officials on Thursday.

Authorities confirmed that the explosion led to the complete destruction of a vehicle. Levies sources indicated that two women were among those who lost their lives in the incident.

This event follows an earlier incident this month in Mastung, Balochistan, on April 15, where three Balochistan Constabulary personnel were martyred, and over a dozen others sustained injuries in a blast targeting a police vehicle in the Shamsabad area. That attack injured as many as 16 security personnel.

These incidents occur amidst a concerning rise in terror-related events across the nation, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, bearing the brunt of the violence.

Interestingly, the first quarter of 2025 showed potential improvements in Pakistan’s security situation, marking the first time in 12 years that the number of militant and insurgent deaths exceeded the combined casualties of civilians and security forces.

The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) issued key findings noting significantly reduced fatal losses among civilians and security forces compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

However, KP and Balochistan continue to be the primary areas of conflict, accounting for 98% of all deaths, with increasingly bold attacks and evolving militant tactics, including the unprecedented hijacking of the Jaffar Express. Projections suggest over 3,600 deaths by the end of the year if the current trends continue, potentially making 2025 one of Pakistan’s deadliest years.

During the first quarter of 2025, Pakistan recorded 897 deaths and 542 injuries related to violence, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. These 1,439 casualties resulted from 354 violent incidents, including terror attacks and counter-terror operations. These figures represent an almost 13% decrease in overall violence compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, which saw 1,028 fatalities.

Balochistan experienced 35% of all fatalities during the reported period and saw a concerning 15% increase in violence compared to the previous quarter.

Civilians and security personnel suffered 402 fatalities against 495 outlaws eliminated, nearly 19% fewer losses than outlaws. Their combined losses accounted for approximately 45% of all fatalities, while outlaws accounted for over 55% of the total recorded this quarter.