17 Feb 2020 | 01:59 PM UTC
Pakistan: At least seven killed in suicide attack in Quetta (Baloshistan) February 17
Alleged suicide attack leaves at least seven killed in Quetta (Baloshistan) on February 17; avoid the area
Event
At least seven people have been killed and 15 others injured in Quetta (Baloshistan) on Monday, February 17, due to an attack at the Press Club on Shahrah-e-Iqbal. One of the casualties was reportedly a police officer. Some media sources have reported that the Pakistani government has called the incident a suicide attack.
Similar attacks are possible in Baluchistan over the near term.
Context
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qai'da, Islamic State (IS) affiliates, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Afghan Taliban, and other Islamist militant groups 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 numerous deadly attacks in recent months, notably in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Advice
Individuals in Quetta are advised to monitor developments, avoid the affected area, and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.
Due to a high threat from terrorism, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence, some Western governments advise their citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan as foreign nationals, and Westerners in particular, may be directly targeted.
