At least three killed in Kalat explosion
At least three people, including two women, were killed and five others injured in an explosion in the Amiri area of Kalat district in Balochistan, according to Levies officials. A vehicle was completely destroyed in the blast.
Earlier this month, on April 15, another attack occurred in Balochistan’s Mastung area, where three personnel from the Balochistan Constabulary lost their lives and over a dozen were injured when a police vehicle was targeted in Shamsabad. Sixteen security personnel were hurt in that incident.
These attacks come as part of a worrying increase in terrorist activity in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both of which share borders with Afghanistan.
Despite this, the first quarter of 2025 brought some hopeful signs. For the first time in 12 years, the number of militants and insurgents killed was higher than the total deaths of civilians and security forces. A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) showed fewer deaths among civilians and security personnel compared to the last quarter of 2024.
Even so, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to be the main areas affected by violence. These provinces made up 98% of all reported deaths. Attacks have become more daring, including a rare hijacking of the Jaffar Express train. If the violence continues at this pace, over 3,600 people could die by the end of the year, possibly making 2025 one of the deadliest years for Pakistan.
In the first three months of 2025, 897 people were killed and 542 injured in violent incidents, including terror attacks and military operations. Although this is a 13% drop from the 1,028 deaths recorded in the last quarter of 2024, the numbers are still high. Balochistan alone saw 35% of all deaths and a 15% increase in violence compared to the previous quarter.
Out of all the deaths, 495 were of militants, while civilians and security forces suffered 402 fatalities—19% less than the number of outlaws killed. Together, civilians and security forces made up 45% of the deaths, while the remaining 55% were militants.