Pakistan: Pakistani Taliban bombing kills at least five in Quetta Nov. 25

Event

A Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-claimed suicide bombing killed at least five people and wounded at least 27 others in Quetta (Balochistan province) on the morning of Saturday, November 25 (local time). According to Pakistani police, the TTP suicide bombing took place near Sada Bahar Terminal on Sariab Road, and reportedly targeted the vehicle of a Balochistan Frontier Corps commander in a Frontier Corps paramilitary convoy.

Context

The Quetta region of Balochistan province, located in north-central Pakistan, has experienced high levels of violence in recent months and years due to its position along a major arms smuggling route and proximity to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochi nationalist militants often carry out car bombings, suicide bombings, and armed attacks which target the Balochistan Frontier Corps, local police forces, and lawyers.

A senior Quetta police official was killed in a militant attack on November 9; another militant attack in Balochistan province killed four people, including a senior police officer, on November 15.

Advice

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.