Three Militants Killed as Mastung Attack on Post Foiled
Security forces killed three militants in a Mastung attack on Thursday after an explosives-laden vehicle targeted Kandawa Post on the N-25 highway in Balochistan. Two civilians died in the blast and at least 16 people were injured.
The attackers belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan, Balochistan Police said. The group is the state’s name for Balochistan-based militant groups, which officials link to Indian support for terrorism in Pakistan.
According to a police spokesperson, the militants tried to hit Kandawa Post with an explosives-laden vehicle. Security forces responded at once and repelled the attack. Three militants were killed in the retaliatory operation.
The two civilians killed were Kaleemullah, son of Abdullah, and Bibi Laiba, daughter of Dil Murad. At least 13 other people were injured, along with three Frontier Corps personnel. The injured were taken to medical centres for treatment. The blast also damaged nearby houses and a mosque.
Mastung attack: what the police said
Police said the attack showed the militants had “no connection with the people of Balochistan”. The statement added that operations against elements seeking to undermine peace, development and prosperity in Balochistan would continue, and that the protection of people’s lives and property would be ensured under all circumstances.
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, Arab News reported. The bombing took place in the Kandawa area, about 10 kilometres from Mastung city.
Balochistan security in recent weeks
The Mastung attack comes amid a wider security push in Balochistan. Earlier this month, a soldier was martyred and 17 terrorists were killed in two intelligence-based operations in Kachhi and Kharan districts, the military’s media wing said.
In early October, security forces killed five terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan in Mastung, Pakistan TV reported.
The Kandawa attack comes as security forces press Operation Rad-ul-Fitna 3, an ongoing campaign against militant networks in the province. The operation targets groups the state calls Fitna al-Hindustan, and the latest attack shows those networks are still able to strike at highway posts despite the pressure.
Pakistan recorded a marked improvement in several security indicators during October, with terrorist attacks falling by 37 per cent compared with September, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. Balochistan recorded one of the biggest improvements, with attacks falling by 46 per cent, from 132 in September to 71 in October.
Ten policemen were martyred in an ambush in Kohat earlier this week, and police killed a wanted TTP commander in Khyber in a separate operation. A fact check found that viral visuals claiming to show violence in Balochistan were old and unrelated.
Why Kandawa Post matters
Kandawa Post sits on the N-25, the national highway that links Quetta with Karachi through Mastung and Kalat. The route carries both passenger traffic and goods, which makes its security posts a repeated target for militant groups.
Security forces have stepped up operations along the highway in recent months. An operation in Kech and another in Qila Saifullah were part of the same push to clear militant networks from the province.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Mastung attack?
Three militants and two civilians died. The civilians were Kaleemullah and Bibi Laiba.
Where did the attack take place?
The attack targeted Kandawa Post on the N-25 highway in Mastung district, Balochistan, about 10 kilometres from Mastung city.
How many people were injured?
At least 16 people were injured, including three Frontier Corps personnel.
Who claimed responsibility?
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, Arab News reported. Police said the attackers belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan.
What is Fitna al-Hindustan?
It is the name the state uses for Balochistan-based militant groups, which officials say receive Indian support.
