Tribune Take: Major terrorist attacks in Pakistan

Global Terrorist Index places Pakistan at number five

Major terrorist attacks in the country have reduced in frequency over the last few years after security forces conducted massive and sustained operations to root out terrorist networks in the country.

However, the country still witnessed sporadic incidents of terrorism. As the year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the more significant attacks during the year.

 

Suicide attack in Loralai kills nine

The attackers were armed with suicide vests, grenades and assault rifle. PHOTO: FILE

On January 29, nine people including three policemen, five civilian employees of the police and a candidate of the police department were martyred in a gun-and-suicide attack on the DIG’s office in Loralai.

Three suicide bombers stormed into the complex after detonating a hand grenade at the entrance. The attackers were armed with suicide vests, grenades and assault rifles.

There were around 800 candidates who were taking a recruitment exam for the police force at the time of the attack. The assailants were subsequently shot dead and the premises were cleared.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

Seven labourers shot dead near Turbat

PHOTO: FILE

At least seven labourers were killed and two sustained injuries when a group of armed men opened fire on them in Bulieda area of Kech district on February 15.

According to the Balochistan Levies, the attackers were armed with ‘sophisticated automatic weapons’. They also torched the machinery and three vehicles of the private company which was being used for construction.

Banned outfit the Baloch Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

20 people martyred, 48 injured as bomb rips through Quetta vegetable market

One Frontier Corps soldier was also martyred. PHOTO: FILE

On April 12, at least 20 people were martyred and 48 were injured after a bomb detonated in a vegetable market in Quetta.

The bomb detonated near a site where produce was being loaded for distribution around the market.

Most of the victims belonged to the Hazara community. One Frontier Corps soldier was also martyred.

President Arif Alvi, Minister of State for Interior Sheryar Afridi, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condone the attack and grieved with the victims’ families.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed the responsibility for the attack.

 

 Pakistan Navy personnel among 14 massacred near Ormara

No group claimed the responsibility of the attack. PHOTO: FILE

In April, at least 14 people including Pakistan Navy personnel were martyred after they were offloaded from buses on Makran Coastal Highway.

The passenger buses were in transit between Karachi and Gwadar when they were stopped by 25 unidentified assailants in the Buzi pass area near Hangol after midnight.

The terrorists – wearing Frontier Corps uniforms – checked the identity cards of the passengers before offloading and abducting the victims.

 

 10 martyred, 21 injured in Data Darbar shrine bomb blast

A damaged police vehicle after the attack. PHOTO: AFP

In May, a suicide bomber detonated his vest near Lahore’s Data Darbar shrine which martyred at least ten people including four policemen and left 21 others injured.

According to eyewitnesses the incident took place near the shrine’s gate, used as the entrance for female visitors, close to the vehicle of Elite Police.

According to the Elite Police, the suicide bomber was a 16-year-old boy.

Later Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JeA), a splinter faction of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

Five martyred in Gwadar hotel attack, three terrorists killed

Security personnel managed to establish special entry points to the floor and shot dead all three terrorists and defused the IEDs. PHOTO: REUTERS

At least five people including a Pakistan Navy soldier embraced martyrdom and six were injured when terrorists attacked Pearl Continental hotel in Gwadar in May.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the terrorists had rendered useless all CCTV cameras on the fourth floor and had planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at all entry points.

However, security personnel managed to establish special entry points to the floor and shot dead all three terrorists and defused the IEDs.

Among injured were two army captains, two navy soldiers and two hotel employees including a security guard at the entrances who challenged the attackers.

Balochistan Liberation Army claimed the responsibility for the attack.

 

Bomb rips through police van in Quetta, leaves five dead

The explosion occurred outside the City Police Station at Bacha Khan Chowk. PHOTO: FILE

A police patrol van in Quetta was targeted in a bomb blast that killed at least five people including two placemen and left 32 others injured.

The explosion occurred outside the City Police Station at Bacha Khan Chowk.

No group had claimed the responsibility of the attack. However, government and military officials had blamed hostile agencies like India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for sabotaging the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

 

 Quetta motorbike bomb blast leaves three FC personnel martyred

No group calmed the responsibility of the attack. PHOTO: FILE

At least three personnel Balochistan Frontier Corps (FC) were martyred and four others were injured when a motorbike laden with explosives blew up near the vehicle carrying the law enforcers.

According to the police, terrorists parked the motorbike, carrying 8kg of explosives, on the roadside and detonated it remotely targeting the FC vehicle as it was driving through the Kuchlak bypass area.

No group calmed the responsibility for the attack.