Armed assailants launched a coordinated and violent assault on the central bazaar of Mastung district in Balochistan, killing one person and injuring at least seven others in a barrage of gunfire and explosions. The attackers also targeted three banks and torched multiple government vehicles and buildings, triggering a rapid response from security forces and a complete shutdown of commercial activity in the area. According to sources in the district administration, the assailants stormed the crowded market in broad daylight, opening indiscriminate fire and throwing explosive devices. “One person was killed on the spot, and seven others sustained injuries,” an official confirmed.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation as shopkeepers abandoned their businesses and residents fled for safety amid the chaos. Within minutes, the bustling marketplace fell silent under the weight of fear and uncertainty.
The attackers then proceeded to vandalise and loot three local bank branches before setting them on fire. Several official vehicles and adjacent government installations were also torched during the assault, further amplifying the scale of destruction.
In response, heavy contingents of security forces reached the scene and launched a large-scale cordon-and-search operation. Authorities said efforts were underway to trace and apprehend those involved.
No group had claimed responsibility for the incident till the filing of this report. Officials, however, said the nature of the assault suggested it was a deliberate attempt to destabilise the area and target both public and state institutions.
The Balochistan government strongly condemned the attack and vowed firm action. “This was an attack on peace and the people of Mastung. The perpetrators will be brought to justice without delay,” a spokesperson for the provincial administration said.
The incident marks a serious escalation in the security situation in Mastung, which has witnessed similar episodes of violence in recent years.
