A bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded near a police vehicle in southwest Pakistan on Friday, killing seven people, including five children, officials said. The blast occurred in Mastung, a district in the restive Balochistan province, and underscores a resurgence of violence targeting security forces in the region.
The explosion struck as a police vehicle passed through a crowded area, close to a motorized rickshaw carrying schoolchildren, said Fateh Mohammad, the local police chief. Among the dead were five children, a police officer, and a passerby. The motive remains unclear, but suspicion is likely to fall on Baloch separatist groups, which have escalated attacks in recent months.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan’s chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, condemned the bombing and vowed to continue efforts to root out insurgent groups from the country.
Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running separatist insurgency, with groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (B.L.A.) staging frequent attacks on security forces and, occasionally, on foreign workers. These groups seek greater autonomy or independence from Pakistan’s central government. Last month, the B.L.A. claimed responsibility for an attack in Karachi, where a bomb targeting Chinese nationals killed two and injured eight.
The recent attacks have put a strain on Pakistan’s relations with China, which has invested billions in infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road Initiative, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Thousands of Chinese nationals work in Pakistan on these projects, and Beijing has repeatedly pressed Islamabad to bolster security measures.
At a seminar this week, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, urged Pakistan to act against insurgents behind what he described as “unacceptable” attacks on Chinese nationals. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, however, expressed surprise at Jiang’s remarks, pointing to assurances made at high levels, including by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, that Pakistan is committed to safeguarding Chinese workers and interests.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, described Jiang’s comments as “perplexing” given the “positive diplomatic traditions” between the two countries.
