The death toll from the devastating suicide attack on Quetta’s Sariab Road climbed to 15 on Wednesday, as authorities intensified investigations into the incident that left the city reeling. At least 38 others sustained injuries, many of them in critical condition, as emergency teams worked round the clock to provide medical care.
The blast occurred near Shahwani Stadium on Sariab Road, sending shockwaves across the provincial capital. Rescue teams and law enforcement agencies rushed to the site, where victims were swiftly shifted to hospitals amid chaotic scenes of destruction. Windows of nearby buildings were shattered by the impact of the explosion, while panicked residents and shopkeepers fled the area.
According to a spokesman for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), a case has been registered against unidentified individuals under sections pertaining to murder, attempted murder, and the Anti-Terrorism Act. The spokesman confirmed that body parts of the suicide bomber had been recovered and dispatched for forensic testing to aid in identifying the network behind the attack.
The Balochistan Health Department reported that 38 people were wounded in the attack, with several undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital and other medical facilities in Quetta. Hospital authorities appealed for blood donations as injured victims continued to arrive in critical condition.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing and expressed profound grief over the loss of lives. In a statement, he directed authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical care to the injured and called for the perpetrators to be swiftly identified and brought to justice. “Those involved in this heinous act must be given exemplary punishment,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the state stands firmly with the people of Balochistan in the face of such tragedies.
The Sariab Road attack is the latest in a string of militant incidents targeting Balochistan, a province that has long suffered from terrorist violence and instability. Officials said that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the perpetrators received support from local facilitators or cross-border elements, and that enhanced security measures have been put in place across Quetta to prevent further attacks.
The CTD reiterated that no effort would be spared in dismantling the networks involved, underscoring that such acts of terror would only strengthen the nation’s resolve to fight back against those seeking to destabilize Pakistan.
