Explosive device detonated during disarming process in Pakistan's tumultuous southwestern region, claiming two lives and wounding one individual.
In the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan, an escalating insurgency by separatist militants has led to a surge in improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in 2025.
On August 2, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in the Dera Bugti district, where two local tribesmen were killed and one injured while attempting to defuse an IED. The device was reportedly planted by unknown militants, highlighting the persistent threat posed by these devices in the region [1].
Earlier in July, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for an IED attack in Quetta's Hazarganji area that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to seven others [3]. This attack was part of a series of coordinated attacks by Baloch insurgent groups, including the BLA and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), which resulted in at least 27 Pakistani military fatalities from snipers, IED blasts, and ambushes [3].
The use of IEDs reflects the ongoing insurgency driven by separatist groups like the BLA and BLF, who oppose federal control over Balochistan. This resource-rich but impoverished province is vital for its mineral wealth and the China-backed deep seaport project.
The escalation in IED attacks and militant activities has led the provincial government to impose security restrictions during sensitive periods. For instance, ahead of Pakistan's 78th Independence Day celebrations, the government banned weapons display, pillion riding, and gatherings of more than five people for 15 days in the province [2].
The Pakistani military accuses India of supporting these militant groups as proxies, a charge India has officially denied. Pakistan’s leadership strongly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in Balochistan [2][4].
Balochistan, with its long coast on the Arabian Sea, is home to gold, copper, and coal mines, making it a strategically important region. The Pakistani government has launched several development schemes for the 15 million people of Balochistan, focusing on infrastructure, health, and education [5].
In conclusion, the increased use of IEDs by Baloch militant groups in 2025 is part of an intensified insurgency causing significant casualties among Pakistani security forces and civilians. The government attributes much of the unrest to foreign interference while continuing security operations in the volatile region.
References: [1] The Express Tribune. (2025, August 3). Two killed, one injured in Dera Bugti IED blast. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/ [2] Dawn. (2025, May 7). Pakistan strongly condemns attack on army convoy in Balochistan. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/ [3] The News International. (2025, July 18). Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility for Quetta blast. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/ [4] The Nation. (2025, May 7). Pakistan accuses India of supporting Baloch militants. Retrieved from https://nation.com.pk/ [5] Dawn. (2023, March 1). Balochistan development: A new focus on infrastructure, health, education. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/
- The escalating insurgency in Balochistan, Pakistan, has increased the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in war-and-conflicts, as seen in the Dera Bugti district incident on August 2, 2025, where two local tribesmen lost their lives and one was injured while defusing an IED [1].
- In the realm of general-news, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for an IED attack in Quetta's Hazarganji area on July 1, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to seven others, as part of a series of coordinated attacks by Baloch insurgent groups [3].
- In an effort to handle this growing threat, the provincial government has imposed security restrictions during sensitive periods such as before Pakistan's 78th Independence Day celebrations, banning weapons display, pillion riding, and gatherings of more than five people for 15 days in the province [2].
- In addition to addressing security issues, the Pakistani government has launched development schemes for the 15 million people of Balochistan, focusing on infrastructure, health, and education, highlighting the importance of peace and stability in the region for its long-term prosperity, particularly attracting foreign investments in resources like gold, copper, and coal mines situated on the province's coast along the Arabian Sea [5].
- This longstanding insurgency in Balochistan, characterized by the use of IEDs and violent attacks, has brought forth political discussions about external support, with the Pakistan military accusing India of supporting militant groups as proxies, while Pakistan’s leadership strongly condemns the attacks and remains committed to combating terrorism in the region [2][4].
