Attack on Mastung’s Kandawa post repelled, two civilians killed, three attackers dead

Security forces repelled an attack on Kandawa Post on the N-25 highway in Mastung district on Thursday, killing three attackers who tried to ram the post with a vehicle packed with explosives. Two civilians were killed in the blast and at least 13 others were injured. Three Frontier Corps personnel were also wounded and were shifted to medical centres for treatment.
How the attack unfolded
According to a spokesperson for the Balochistan Police, terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan tried to strike Kandawa Post with an explosives-laden vehicle. The Kandawa area lies about 10 kilometres from Mastung city. Security personnel responded promptly and effectively, the police statement said, and the attack was foiled. The blast also damaged nearby houses and a mosque. The civilians killed were identified as Kaleemullah, son of Abdullah, and Bibi Laiba, daughter of Dil Murad. The banned Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, though its claims could not be independently verified.
What the police said
The police statement said the attack showed that these terrorists had no connection with the people of Balochistan. Operations against elements seeking to undermine peace, development and prosperity in Balochistan would continue, it said, and the protection of people’s lives and property would be ensured under all circumstances.
The wider picture
Balochistan has seen a rise in terrorist activity in recent years, prompting security forces to step up counter-terrorism operations. Earlier this month, a soldier was martyred and 17 terrorists were killed in two intelligence-based operations in the Kachhi and Kharan districts. In early October, five terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in Mastung. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, terrorist attacks fell by 37 per cent in October compared with September, and in Balochistan they dropped from 132 to 71.