Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province was rocked by twin bombings on September 18, 2025, leaving at least 11 people dead and more than two dozen wounded, according to multiple reports from AFP and Geo News. The attacks, which occurred just hours apart in different districts near the borders with Afghanistan and Iran, have once again thrust the region’s simmering insurgency and rising militancy into the international spotlight.
The first attack took place in Turbat, a district in southwestern Balochistan, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of paramilitary soldiers. Police official Elahi Bakhsh told AFP that the deadly blast resulted in the deaths of three security personnel and two local officials. The carnage didn’t end there: 23 others were wounded in the explosion, underscoring the devastating reach of the attack. The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group active in the region, later claimed responsibility for the bombing, as reported by AFP.
Just hours later, tragedy struck again. A second car bomb detonated near the Afghan border in the city of Chaman, this time at a busy taxi stand. Government administrator Imtiaz Ali confirmed to AFP and Geo News that six laborers were killed when explosives, hidden in passengers’ luggage, went off. The injured and deceased were rushed to the District Headquarters hospital, while authorities quickly cordoned off the site and launched an investigation into the nature and motive of the attack.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and mineral-rich province, has long been plagued by violence. The region borders both Afghanistan and Iran, making it a strategic—yet perilous—crossroads. Separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army have waged a decade-long insurgency against the Pakistani military, seeking to end what they claim is systemic discrimination against the Baloch people. According to AFP, human rights groups say the government’s sweeping counter-terrorism crackdown in response has included arbitrary detentions and arrests of local residents, further fueling tensions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wasted no time in condemning the attacks. In a statement reported by Geo News, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended his condolences to the families affected. He also directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care for the wounded, emphasizing, "Elements spreading unrest in Balochistan are enemies of the province's development and prosperity, and their nefarious designs will never succeed." Sharif called for swift justice, urging that those responsible be brought to account.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the Chaman taxi stand bombing, suspicion has inevitably fallen on the usual suspects: the Pakistani Taliban—known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—and Baloch separatist factions. Both have a history of targeting security forces and civilians in Balochistan. The TTP, although separate from the Afghan Taliban, maintains close ties and has orchestrated a string of attacks in recent years, contributing to what officials and analysts describe as a surge in militant violence across Pakistan.
These latest attacks come on the heels of another major tragedy in the province. Just two weeks prior, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a stadium near Quetta, the provincial capital, as supporters of a nationalist party were leaving a rally. That blast, claimed by the Islamic State group, killed at least 14 people, according to AFP and Geo News. In fact, earlier this month, a similar suicide bombing at a political rally in Quetta left 15 dead, highlighting the persistent threat posed by militant groups operating in the region.
Balochistan’s troubles are deeply rooted. The province has seen a long-running insurgency, with separatists demanding independence from Pakistan’s central government. The Baloch Liberation Army and other outlawed groups frequently stage attacks, targeting both security personnel and civilians. The government’s response has been a heavy-handed counter-terrorism campaign, but rights organizations allege that it often sweeps up innocent locals, exacerbating the sense of alienation among the Baloch people.
Geo News reported that, following the most recent bombings, the provincial Home Department stressed that strict action would be taken against those facilitating terrorism. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the blast sites, and investigators are now probing the details behind both explosions. Authorities have also launched formal inquiries into the attacks, hoping to unravel the networks responsible and prevent further bloodshed.
For many in Balochistan, the violence is a grim reminder of the province’s uncertain future. The mineral-rich land, while offering economic promise, has become a battleground for competing interests—local, national, and even international. The insurgency, fueled by grievances over political marginalization and resource allocation, shows little sign of abating. Meanwhile, the government’s security operations, though aimed at restoring order, are often criticized for their alleged human rights violations.
Pakistan’s wider struggle with militancy is hardly confined to Balochistan. The Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State affiliates have repeatedly struck across the country, targeting political rallies, religious gatherings, and even sports events. The rise in attacks has left ordinary Pakistanis anxious about their safety, and has put pressure on the government to demonstrate both resolve and restraint in its response.
Yet, as Prime Minister Sharif’s remarks suggest, the government remains determined to confront the threat head-on. "Those behind the attack must be brought to justice," he insisted, echoing a sentiment shared by many Pakistanis weary of the violence. Still, the challenge is formidable: rooting out entrenched insurgent networks while addressing the underlying grievances that drive young men to join their ranks.
In the aftermath of the September 18 bombings, residents of Turbat and Chaman are left to mourn the dead and tend to the wounded. The sense of loss is palpable, but so too is the resilience of a community that has endured years of unrest. As the investigation unfolds and security is tightened, questions linger about what more can be done to bring lasting peace to Balochistan.
Pakistan’s southwestern province, caught between hope and hardship, remains a flashpoint in the country’s ongoing battle against militancy. With every attack, the stakes grow higher—not just for Balochistan, but for the future stability of Pakistan itself.