In a series of tragic events in Quetta, Balochistan, a roadside bomb exploded on August 24, 2024, near a police office, killing at least two children and a woman, while injuring 15 others, including police officers. The bomb, believed to be detonated remotely, has not been claimed by any group, but authorities suspect separatist factions that have recently intensified their attacks in the region. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, stating that those responsible 'do not deserve to be called humans' and reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating terrorism in Balochistan. This incident adds to the ongoing violence in the province, which has been grappling with a low-level insurgency for years, despite government assertions of having quelled the unrest.
Simultaneously, family members of individuals allegedly abducted by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have been protesting outside the Assembly in Quetta for over 11 days, demanding the safe return of Zaheer Ahmed Baloch and others. The peaceful protest turned violent when police charged at demonstrators, resulting in severe injuries and several arrests. Baloch rights activists condemned the police's actions, emphasizing the need for dialogue and respect for human rights. Balochistan’s Interior Minister Ziaullah Langove met with the families, assuring them of the government’s commitment to rescuing the abductees, although he did not provide a clear response regarding potential negotiations with the BLA. The police crackdown on the peaceful protesters has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, highlighting the ongoing human rights issues faced by the Baloch community. [953cd4ba] [c9c79adc] [c4ba1072] [a88dd520]