Tragedy struck in Pakistan's southwest region as double land mine blasts resulted in the death of one individual and left at least 18 others wounded. The first explosion occurred as a truck passed through a valley in the coal-rich Duki district of Baluchistan province. Subsequently, a second mine detonated while counter-terrorism officials and civilians were inspecting the initial blast site, as confirmed by district police officer Asif Haleem.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the incident, Baluch separatist groups have a history of targeting security personnel and infrastructure in the region. Originally seeking a greater share of provincial resources, these groups have escalated their actions into an insurgency for independence from the central government.
Meanwhile, a report from an Islamabad-based think tank revealed that militant attacks claimed the lives of 70 individuals across Pakistan in April, with a majority of the incidents concentrated in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies highlighted a total of 323 militant attacks in the first four months of the year, resulting in 324 fatalities.
Although such incidents are uncommon in eastern Punjab province, recent events have seen militants from banned groups targeting uniformed officers in Lahore city, with three officers losing their lives in the past 10 days. Inspector General of Punjab Usman Anwar has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
According to a report released in January by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, there were 306 attacks in the previous year, leading to the tragic loss of 693 lives. The ongoing security challenges in various regions of Pakistan underscore the importance of continued vigilance and collaborative efforts to combat militant activities and safeguard the well-being of the populace.
