At least three killed in Kalat explosion

At least three people were killed and five others injured in an explosion in the Amiri area of Kalat district in Balochistan, Levies officials said on Thursday.

They said a vehicle was completely destroyed in the blast.

Levies sources said two women are also among the dead.

Earlier this month, three Balochistan Constabulary personnel were martyred and over a dozen injured in a blast targeting a police vehicle in Balochistan's Mastung on April 15.

The vehicle was targeted in the Shamsabad area, leaving as many as 16 security personnel wounded in the incident.

The incident comes against the backdrop of an alarming surge in terror incidents in the country with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — both of which share a border with neighbouring Afghanistan — facing the brunt of incidents.

However, for the first time in 12 years, the first quarter of 2025 saw some promising trends in the security landscape of Pakistan, with the fatalities of militants and insurgents outnumbering the cumulative losses of civilians and security forces personnel.

Its key findings, issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), revealed notably fewer fatal losses among civilians and security forces personnel compared to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024.

KP and Balochistan remain epicentres of violence, accounting for 98% of all fatalities, with attacks growing bolder and militant tactics evolving, including the unprecedented hijacking of the Jaffar Express. Projections warn of over 3,600 fatalities by year-end if current trends persist, potentially making 2025 one of Pakistan’s deadliest years.

During Q1 2025, Pakistan witnessed 897 violence-linked fatalities and 542 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws. The tally of casualties, totalling 1,439, stemmed from 354 incidents of violence, including terror attacks and counter-terror operations. Compared to Q4 2024, where 1028 fatalities were recorded, these figures mark a nearly 13% decline in overall violence.

Balochistan suffered 35% of all fatalities in the period under review, and compared to last quarter, it recorded an alarming 15% surge in violence.

Against 495 outlaws eliminated, the civilians and security personnel suffered 402 fatalities, which account for nearly 19% less losses compared to outlaws. Their combined losses accounted for nearly 45% of all fatalities compared to outlaws making up over 55% of the total recorded this quarter.