Pakistan: At least 12 wounded in Quetta attack January 2

Event

On Tuesday, January 2, two unidentified militants attacked a security checkpoint in Quetta (Balochistan province), wounding at least 12 people, including five members of the Balochistan Frontier Corps. The militants launched the gun and bomb attack around 19:45 (local time) on Tuesday at a checkpoint in the Baleli area, in the northern outskirts of the provincial capital, before security forces shot them dead. Security forces cordoned off the surrounding area shortly after the attack to launch an associated investigation. A heightened security presence and associated traffic disruptions are expected in the affected area (including on Baleli Road near Quetta International Airport [UET]) in the coming hours. Additional militant attacks are possible in Quetta in the coming weeks.

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. Militant groups - notably including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochi nationalist militants - often carry out car bombings, suicide bombings, and armed attacks that target the Balochistan Frontier Corps, local police forces, lawyers, and the minority Hazara Shi'a community.

Advice

Individuals in Quetta are advised to monitor the situation, prepare for associated traffic disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.

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. ​