Pakistan: At least nine killed in Quetta and Mastung incidents April 2

Event

At least nine people were killed in three separate incidents in Quetta and Mastung district (Balochistan province) on Monday, April 2. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) claimed responsibility for a targeted attack on Christians on Shah Zaman Road in Quetta which killed four people. In addition, violent clashes broke out between members of rival groups on Qambrani Road in Quetta, killing four people, including a Balochistan Levies paramilitary soldier. Finally, unidentified gunmen killed one person in the Dasht area of Mastung district. Police have launched investigations into the violent incidents.

Context

Islamist militant groups - including Al-Qai'da and Islamic State (IS) affiliates, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the Afghan Taliban, and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) among others - continue to pose a threat throughout the country despite continued army offensives to push them from their northwestern strongholds near the Afghan border. Pakistan has suffered a number of deadly attacks in recent months, notably in Lahore, Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Advice

Individuals in Balochistan province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, report all suspicious objects and behavior, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

More generally, due to the high threat of terrorism and other forms of violent crime, individuals in Pakistan are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities (their diplomatic mission or security manager). As a reminder, all Western embassies in Pakistan advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the country. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.