Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in the Khud Kocha sub-tehsil of Mastung on Wednesday following a deadly attack on a passenger bus and a separate explosion that damaged a key highway bridge. The incidents claimed three lives, injured five people, and disrupted traffic between Quetta and Karachi for several hours.
Officials introduced the curfew after the security situation worsened in the area. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies launched search operations to trace those responsible for both attacks and restore public safety.
Curfew Enforced Following Deadly Passenger Bus Attack
The Balochistan Home Department announced that the indefinite curfew would take effect from 9pm on Wednesday. According to officials, the restrictions will remain until further notice to maintain peace and protect residents.
Home Department spokesperson Babar Yousafzai said the curfew would continue until authorities considered the situation safe. Residents were instructed to remain indoors, while unnecessary movement was banned throughout the affected area.
“Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the curfew orders,” Yousafzai said, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and cooperate with authorities until normal conditions were restored.
The attack occurred when a private passenger coach was travelling from Quetta to Karachi through the Garo area of Khud Kocha. According to police, armed attackers positioned on nearby mountains opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicle.
The assault killed three passengers and injured five others. Soon afterward, security personnel and rescue teams reached the scene. They shifted the injured and the victims’ bodies to the District Headquarters Hospital in Mastung.
Authorities later handed over the bodies to their families after completing legal procedures. Furthermore, investigators launched an inquiry and continued efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
Bridge Explosion Disrupts Quetta-Karachi Highway
A separate explosion also affected the region on Wednesday. Explosives planted beneath a bridge in the Anjari area of Khud Kocha severely damaged the structure, forcing authorities to suspend traffic on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway.
“The bridge was badly damaged in the explosion, suspending all kinds of traffic on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. However, no casualties were reported in the blast,” a police official said.
Following the explosion, long lines of passenger buses, trucks, and other vehicles formed on both sides of the highway. However, officials later restored limited movement by allowing small vehicles to use an alternative route.
Security forces secured the area immediately after the blast. In addition, search operations continued to locate those involved in planting the explosives.
Security Operations Continue Across Balochistan
The latest incidents occurred during an intensified security campaign in Balochistan. Over the past 48 hours, security forces killed 10 terrorists and arrested two female suicide bombers along with their facilitator during intelligence-based operations in Mastung and Surab districts.
Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement agencies launched Operation Shaban after a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.
Pakistan has also witnessed a rise in security challenges during recent months. A security assessment released in early June reported a sharp increase in terrorist attacks across the country during May. Balochistan recorded the highest number of incidents, alongside a significant rise in kidnapping cases.
The recent bus attack, bridge explosion, and ongoing security operations underline the continued challenges facing Balochistan. Authorities have pledged to maintain strict security measures while pursuing those responsible for the latest acts of violence.
