Quetta: A police mobile van was ambushed by terrorists in Quetta on Thursday, resulting in the martyrdom of three police personnel and leaving another injured, officials confirmed.
According to police sources, the incident occurred when personnel from the New Sariab police station were on patrol and came under heavy gunfire from unidentified terrorists. The attackers opened indiscriminate fire, killing a sub-inspector and two constables on the spot.
The injured officer was shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment, where his condition is said to be critical.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack and labeled it a “dastardly assault.” In a statement, he vowed a decisive response to terrorism, asserting that the state is not weak and will retaliate with full force to eliminate the perpetrators. “We will take the terrorists to their logical end,” he said.
The attack underscores the growing threat of terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The country has witnessed a surge in militant activity following the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with law enforcement agencies increasingly being targeted.
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Just last week, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kech district. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation in Buleda was launched based on credible intelligence and led to the elimination of militants involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilians.
Recent data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) paints a grim picture of the security landscape. In January 2025 alone, the country experienced a 42% spike in terrorist incidents compared to December 2024. At least 74 militant attacks were reported nationwide, resulting in 91 deaths, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals were injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected province, with 27 attacks recorded in its settled districts. Balochistan followed closely, reaffirming concerns over deteriorating security conditions in the border regions.
Authorities have launched a search operation in the area to trace and apprehend the attackers involved in Thursday’s deadly ambush. Security has also been tightened across sensitive zones in Quetta and adjoining areas.
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