Turbat, Pakistan: A devastating blast rocked the New Bahman area of Turbat city in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, killing four people and injuring 32 others. The explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), targeted a passenger bus traveling from Karachi to Turbat. Authorities believe the incident was orchestrated by the banned separatist group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has claimed responsibility and provided higher casualty figures.

Among those on board was senior police official SSP Zohaib Mohsin, who was reportedly traveling with his family as part of a wedding party. While investigations are ongoing, it is suspected that the SSP could have been the primary target. Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, condemned the attack, labeling it as inhumane and expressing his solidarity with the victims and their families. Security forces have been deployed in the region to ensure safety and stability.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet sparsely populated province, has long been a center of insurgency led by separatist groups seeking independence. Ethnic Balochs allege systematic discrimination by the state, which has fueled unrest and attacks, primarily targeting security forces and officials. The province’s strategic significance, coupled with its internal conflicts, has made it a hotspot for militant activities, drawing national and international concern.