Three FC Personnel Martyred in IED Blast Targeting Police Truck in Balochistan’s Mastung

Tamseela Akhtar

Apr 15, 2025 — 2 min read

At least three Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel were martyred and 16 others injured on Tuesday after a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a police truck in the *Shamsabad area* of Mastung district, Balochistan.

Security Convoy Targeted

According to local officials, the police vehicle was en route from Kalat via the RTC when it was struck by an IED, leading to a deadly explosion. Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene, and the injured were transported to *Bolan Medical Complex Hospital* and *Civil Hospital Quetta*, where a state of emergency was declared. Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Government Response

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed the incident and stated that Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti had instructed Health Minister Bakht Kakar to personally oversee the medical care of the injured. “The Balochistan government will stand by the martyrs,” said Rind, adding that no negligence in treatment would be tolerated.

Surge in Regional Violence

The attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which have been at the forefront of Pakistan’s internal security challenges due to their proximity to Afghanistan.

While the first quarter of 2025 has seen a notable decline in overall violence* compared to the final quarter of 2024, recent attacks indicate evolving militant tactics and renewed threats to law enforcement.

According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan recorded 897 fatalities and 542 injuries across 354 incidents of violence in Q1 2025. Although these figures represent a 13% decline in fatalities from Q4 2024, Balochistan alone accounted for 35% of all deaths, reflecting a 15% increase in violence from the previous quarter.

The CRSS data also highlighted that the majority of the losses in this period were borne by militant elements (495 outlaws), while civilians and security personnel accounted for a combined *402 fatalities* — about *19% fewer* than those inflicted on insurgents.

Ongoing Security Threats

The continued volatility in Balochistan underscores the persistent threat faced by security forces. With bold attacks such as the hijacking of the Jaffar Express and targeted assaults on law enforcement, analysts warn that if current patterns persist, fatalities could exceed 3,600 by the end of 2025, potentially making it one of the deadliest years in Pakistan’s recent history.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the Mastung blast and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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